British Designer Antony Price, Famed for Styling Iconic Acts Like Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the groundbreaking style architect who crafted many legendary styles favored by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has sadly died at the age of 80.
His reputation was built on his defined forms and theatrical styles, such as the pastel suits that appeared in the iconic band Duran Duran's classic music video for "Rio".
"Remembering him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' Duran Duran shared a message on social media."
This news arrives just weeks after he unveiled his latest collection in London, his first in more than 30 years. Singer Lily Allen modelled a dress evoking the famous black velvet "so-called 'revenge dress'" historically worn by Princess Diana.
A Pioneering Career
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price relocated to London during the sixties to enroll at the renowned Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he commenced his career designing menswear at Stirling Copper and was responsible for the tight, button-detailed trousers that The Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger wore during The Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter tour in 1969.
He founded his own label in 1979 and presented his inaugural collection a year later. The show featured as its opener creations worn by model Jerry Hall, who also wore the marriage dress Price specifically designed for her marriage to Sir Mick Jagger.
Working with Legends
A key creative partner of David Bowie, Price designed the distinctive jacket the singer wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His trademark skill to blend menswear and womenswear along with his masterful technique in designing sculptural silhouettes cemented his status as a "genuine original," in the words of the UK's fashion authority.
During the nineties, he started creating pieces for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, which included several ensembles for her tour of the United States after becoming Duchess.
Following a profession lasting half a century, Price staged what would be his last show in London recently in partnership with the fashion brand 16Arlington.
- Defined Shapes: Central to his design philosophy.
- Performative Style: Defining an era of music fashion.
- Gender-Fluid Fashion: Blurring lines between clothing for men and women.
- A Client List from Rock to Royalty: Including music legends and the future Queen Consort.
The industry laments the passing to a genuine innovator whose impact on style and culture remains indelibly etched.
