British Designer Antony Price, Celebrated for Styling David Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
Antony Price, the influential British fashion designer who crafted a series of unforgettable images worn by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has sadly died aged 80.
His reputation was built on his architectural shapes and dramatic aesthetics, such as the pastel suits that featured in the iconic band Duran Duran's landmark music video for "their hit Rio".
"In a tribute, they called him a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' Duran Duran shared a message across their platforms."
His passing follows less than a month after he debuted his most recent collection in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. The performer Lily Allen modelled a dress evoking the famous black velvet "so-called 'revenge dress'" once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Lasting Legacy
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price headed for London at the start of the 1960s to attend the esteemed Royal College of Art.
Shortly after his graduation, he began designing men's fashion at Stirling Copper and was behind the tight, button-detailed trousers that The Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger famously wore during The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" tour in 1969.
He established his eponymous line in 1979 and held his debut runway presentation a year later. The show was launched by outfits on the famed model Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the wedding dress Price specifically designed for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A frequent collaborator of musical chameleon David Bowie, Price designed the iconic jacket the singer wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His characteristic talent to blend tailoring for all genders along with his technical proficiency in shaping form-fitting garments established him as a "one-of-a-kind talent," in the words of the British Fashion Council.
By the 1990s, he commenced designing ensembles for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, which included various looks for her tour of the United States following her marriage.
Following a profession lasting over fifty years, Price presented his final runway show in London last month in collaboration with the design house 16Arlington.
- Architectural Forms: The core of his aesthetic.
- Theatrical Flair: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Blurring lines between clothing for men and women.
- Working with Stars and Royalty: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
Design circles laments the passing to a genuine innovator whose influence on fashion and music remains indelibly etched.
