PRINCESS ATTOP

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30951, 6 January 1966, Page 2

PRINCESS ATTOP

U.S. Fashion Blacklist

(N Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright > LOS ANGELES. Jan. 5.

Princess Margaret has topped a California fashion designer's list of nominations for the “10 worst-dressed [women of 1965.” Mr Richard Blackwell, who annually produces the fashion blacklist, placed Princess Margaret at the top with the comment: “A grand revival of Charlie’s aunt, with a rock ’n’ roll beat.”

Princess Margaret visited California in November as part of a United States tour which highlighted British fashions.

Mr Blackwell’s list placed the Broadway singer, Barbra Streisand, in second place, describing her as “a girl Ringo Starr.” In third place was the French film actress, Brigitte Bardot, who visited Los Angeles last month. "A good thing no-one recognises her with her clothes on,” commented Mr Blackwell. The television actress, Mia Farrow, a companion of Frank Sinatra, made fourth place with the note, “stretch pants on a wedding cake bride.” The comedienne, Phyllis Diller, described as a “continual disaster,” made fifth place. Twenty Years Behind

Mrs Charles de Gaulle was ranked sixth on the fashion designer’s blacklist with the remark: “Behind every successful man is a woman and this woman is about 20 years behind.” Numbers seven to 10 on the list were, in order, the actresses, Lucille Ball, Julie Andrews, Bette Davis, and Elizabeth Taylor, who was dismissed with the phrase “chinchilla-wrapped blintzes.” On the positive side of the fashion picture, Mr Blackwell named five best-dressed women: the actresses Audrey Hepburn, Merle Oberon, Geraldine Chaplin, Polly Bergen, and Greer Garson. He cited as “most improved”: Judy Garland, Pamela Mason, Carroll Baker, and Debbie Reynolds.