The Original Naomi

She's been called the first black supermodel. Though she spent only about five years modeling Naomi Sim's mark has been felt by all that came after her. The former model/businesswoman died over the weekend at 61. Coming from Oxford, Miss., the late Ms. Sims appeared on the cover of Ladies' Home Journal in 1968 and followed that up with a cover of Life magazine. After these feats, she was credited with pushing black beauty into the mainstream. It was her line of wigs aimed at African-American women that made her more than a model but an entrepreneur. Setting the stage for models like Tyra Banks to take it to another level. R.I.P. Naomi Sims and thank you!

photo via theroot.com

Fashion Wears a Frown

He once said that Meryl Streep looked like a "gypsy abandoned by a caravan." It's those kinds of statements that gave birth to the red carpet critic. Mr. Blackwell, likely the most well known fashion critic, died today. You may not know Richard Sylvan Selzer, but everyone knew Mr. Blackwell. The premiere fashion critic had Hollywood's elite waiting with bated breath every 2nd Tuesday of January when his worst dressed list was released. The critic started as an actor and turned to fashion once the acting career stalled. He made a name for himself not with his own designs but, his scathing remarks about celebs on the red carpet. His first list was published in 1960. Believe it or not, he didn't like the public perception that he was mean. He saw it as his duty to critique celeb style because he thought fashion designers weren't doing their jobs. Their job as he saw it was to make women look beautiful. Hollywood starlets, feel free to roam the streets in your ugliest frocks yet. Do it for Mr. Blackwell.

Photo:dlisted.com