Antony Price, Renowned for Creating Looks for David Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
Fashion legend Antony Price, the groundbreaking British fashion designer who crafted a series of unforgettable images favored by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has died at the age of 80.
He was celebrated for his architectural shapes and theatrical styles, including the soft-colored suits that appeared in the pop-rock group Duran Duran's seminal music video for "Rio".
"In a tribute, they called him a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the band released a statement on social media."
His passing follows shortly after he presented his latest collection in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. Artist Lily Allen showcased a dress evoking the notorious black velvet "revenge dress" once worn by the late Princess Diana.
An Enduring Influence
A native of Yorkshire, born in 1945, Price moved to London in the early 1960s to study at the esteemed Royal College of Art.
A year after graduating, he started his work in men's fashion at Stirling Copper and was behind the form-fitting, button-fly pants that Sir Mick Jagger wore during The Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter tour in 1969.
He established his eponymous line in 1979 and presented his inaugural collection a year later. The show featured as its opener looks from supermodel Jerry Hall, who also wore the bridal gown Price designed for her for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A long-time collaborator of David Bowie, Price designed the iconic jacket the star 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 crafting form-fitting garments cemented his status as a "one-of-a-kind talent," in the words of the UK's fashion authority.
During the nineties, he began working on outfits for Camilla, now Queen Consort, which included a number of outfits for her US tour after becoming Duchess.
After a career spanning half a century, Price staged what would be his last show in London recently in collaboration with the label 16Arlington.
- Defined Shapes: Central to his design philosophy.
- Dramatic Impact: Shaping the look of rock and pop.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Blurring lines between clothing for men and women.
- A Client List from Rock to Royalty: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
Design circles laments the passing to a genuine innovator whose influence on the visual landscape of music remains deeply ingrained.
