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There�s More To �MR. BLACKWELL� Than Meets The Eye In a rare interview, Mimi Makabi tries to discover who the man behind the trademark label �MR. BLACKWELL� really is.
By: Mimi Makabi

When I asked Mr. Blackwell what he thought of fashion designers today, he responded, “They think, to wear their clothes is enough to make the women happy- whether it’s pretty or not. There is a lot of creativity out there, but I don’t think it’s wearable. They’re incredible art pieces, but they are not fashions to be worn.”  On the other hand, he is very complementary of designers today that still produce elegant and sophisticated fashions. His favorites include “Valentino and Badgley Mischka.”
As a designer, he also marked the first for many things in fashion history. He took a lot of criticism from the press for being the first designer to put his own picture in a full page magazine ad (1960 Vogue Ad). “Designers just didn’t do that. It put me on the map and in the headlines, as an enigma in the fashion world,” said Mr. Blackwell.  He also received a lot of media attention for being the first designer to hire African American and Asian American models.
In 1960, he became an even bigger public phenomenon when he created and released (what was assigned to be a one-time-only feature in “American Weekly”) on his nominations for “The Best and Worst-Dressed” women in town. Within a few years, the media’s attention and the public’s curiosity grew more than ever- especially for the “Worst Dressed List”.  According to Mr. Blackwell, “The creation of the list was one of the most positive/negative, fame-making/fame-crushing, self-promoting/self-defeating decisions I’ve ever made.” As much as Mr. Blackwell savors his success and fame that came with the list, he feels the public has painted an unfair image of who he really is. He wants to be recognized for his career success as a leading high fashion designer, not just on an annual report of “who wore what-and how bad they looked wearing it.”  In a very disappointed voice he expressed, “People think that’s all I ever did. They think all I do is bitch about people. But if it makes them happy, then good luck.”  Is this far from the truth? “About 190 miles!” responds Mr. Blackwell. 

What most people might not know is that he is a man that was not only dedicated to his craft, but also took the time to give back and care for humanity. While most designers would never consider the idea, Mr. Blackwell was the only one who ever held fashion shows for women in prisons. On numerous occasions, he visited Civil Brand Prison here in Los Angeles and gave the inmates a show they would never forget. Mr. Blackwell explains, “No designer would have gone to a prison. Their attitude was, well you can’t sell a dress in a prison. What’s the point? But the point is that I cared for the people. I cared that I would give them one reason to want to go home. I gave them life.”

In my opinion, the true phenomenon throughout the years is not the creation of this incredible character known as “Mr. Blackwell” and his list, but rather a discovery of who the man really is-all the greatness that is him. He might be many things to many people, but the bottom line is: He’s an extraordinary man who represents hope, survival, and success…and above all, love.

At the end, I met the legendary “Mr. Blackwell”, earned myself a “Best-Dressed” pin, and more importantly, discovered the remarkable man that he really is.

As he says it best…“No regrets.”

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