Mr. Blackwell, the fashion maven whose annual "worst-dressed" list could be the bane of Hollywood celebrities, has died at age 86, according to media reports on Monday.

Richard Blackwell, born Richard Selzer, had been in failing health for some time and in August was reported to be in a coma after a fall at his Los Angeles home.

The Los Angeles Times quoted his publicist Harlan Boll as saying the former actor and fashion designer died on Sunday afternoon in hospital of complications from an intestinal infection.

Blackwell issued his "worst-dressed" list for 48 years and it became watched around the world as much for his caustic quips about the stars' fashion as for who made the list.