The Fashion Icon Antony Price, Famed for Designing for Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the groundbreaking 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 at 80 years old.
His reputation was built on his architectural shapes and theatrical styles, such as the soft-colored suits that featured in the pop-rock group Duran Duran's landmark music video for "their hit Rio".
"They honored him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the band released a statement across their platforms."
His passing follows just weeks after he unveiled his most recent collection in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. Singer Lily Allen walked in a dress inspired by the famous black velvet "so-called 'revenge dress'" historically worn by Princess Diana.
An Enduring Influence
A native of Yorkshire, born in 1945, Price headed for London in the early 1960s to attend the esteemed Royal College of Art.
Shortly after his graduation, he commenced his career designing clothing for men at Stirling Copper and was behind the form-fitting, button-fly pants that Sir Mick Jagger famously wore during the iconic group's Gimme Shelter tour in 1969.
He launched his own brand in 1979 and held his debut runway presentation a year later. The show opened with looks from supermodel Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the wedding dress Price specifically designed for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A key creative partner of the late David Bowie, Price was the mind behind the distinctive jacket the star wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His signature ability to merge menswear and womenswear along with his masterful technique in designing body-hugging looks made him a "one-of-a-kind talent," as stated by the British Fashion Council.
During the nineties, he commenced designing outfits for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, such as several ensembles for her American tour following her marriage.
With a vocation that covered over fifty years, Price presented his final runway show in London just last month in partnership with the design house 16Arlington.
- Sculpted Silhouettes: The core of his aesthetic.
- Dramatic Impact: Shaping the look of rock and pop.
- Gender-Fluid Fashion: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- Working with Stars and Royalty: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
Design circles laments the passing to a true visionary whose influence on the visual landscape of music remains deeply ingrained.
