The Fashion Icon Antony Price, Famed for Creating Looks for David Bowie and Duran Duran, Has Died Aged 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the groundbreaking UK-based designer who crafted a series of unforgettable images worn by musical icons like Bowie and members of Roxy Music, as well as Queen Camilla, has died aged 80.
He was celebrated for his sculptured silhouettes and theatrical styles, including the light-hued ensembles that appeared in the iconic band Duran Duran's landmark music video for "the song 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."
This news arrives less than a month after he debuted his newest line in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. The performer Lily Allen walked in a dress inspired by the notorious black velvet "revenge dress" once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Pioneering Career
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price moved to London in the early 1960s to enroll at the renowned Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he commenced his career designing menswear at the label Stirling Copper and was behind the tight, button-detailed trousers that Sir Mick Jagger famously wore during the band's "Gimme Shelter" tour in 1969.
He founded his own label in 1979 and staged his first fashion show a year later. The show opened with looks from the famed model Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the wedding dress Price designed for her for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A frequent collaborator of David Bowie, Price was the mind behind the memorable jacket the star wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His trademark skill to merge tailoring for all genders along with his expert craftsmanship in shaping body-hugging looks cemented his status as a "one-of-a-kind talent," in the words of the British Fashion Council.
In the 1990s, he began working on outfits for the then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, including a number of outfits for her US tour after becoming Duchess.
After a career spanning over fifty years, Price staged what would be his last show in London recently in partnership with the fashion brand 16Arlington.
- Architectural Forms: Central to his design philosophy.
- Theatrical Flair: Shaping the look of rock and pop.
- Gender-Fluid Fashion: Blurring lines between clothing for men and women.
- A Client List from Rock to Royalty: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
The industry laments the passing to a authentic original whose legacy on style and culture remains indelibly etched.
