Antony Price, Celebrated for Creating Looks for Iconic Acts Like Bowie and Duran Duran, Has Died Aged 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the visionary 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 defined forms and theatrical styles, such as the light-hued ensembles that appeared in the iconic band Duran Duran's classic music video for "their hit Rio".
"In a tribute, they called him a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the group posted a remembrance across their platforms."
His passing follows just weeks after he unveiled his most recent collection in London, his first in more than 30 years. Artist Lily Allen modelled a dress evoking the notorious black velvet "dress" made famous by the late Princess Diana.
A Lasting Legacy
A native of Yorkshire, born in 1945, Price moved to London at the start of the 1960s to enroll at the prestigious Royal College of Art.
Shortly after his graduation, he began designing men's fashion at the company Stirling Copper and was behind the tight, button-detailed trousers that The Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger wore during the band's "Gimme Shelter" tour in the late sixties.
He launched his own brand in 1979 and staged his first fashion show a year later. The show opened with looks from supermodel Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the marriage dress Price specifically designed for her nuptials with Sir Mick Jagger.
Partnerships with Stars
A frequent collaborator of the late David Bowie, Price designed the iconic jacket the artist wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His trademark skill to merge menswear and womenswear along with his expert craftsmanship in designing form-fitting garments made him a "genuine original," according to the British Fashion Council.
By the 1990s, he commenced designing ensembles for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, such as a number of outfits for her tour of the United States after assuming the title.
After a career spanning more than five decades, Price staged what would be his last show in London last month in conjunction with the label 16Arlington.
- Sculpted Silhouettes: Central to his design philosophy.
- Dramatic Impact: Shaping the look of rock and pop.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- Working with Stars and Royalty: From David Bowie and Mick Jagger to Queen Camilla.
The industry laments the passing to a authentic original whose impact on fashion and music remains deeply ingrained.
