Antony Price, Celebrated for Designing for Bowie and Duran Duran, Has Died Aged 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the groundbreaking UK-based designer responsible for some of the most iconic looks worn by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has passed away at the age of 80.
He was celebrated for his defined forms and performative fashion, most notably the pastel suits that featured in the pop-rock group Duran Duran's landmark music video for "the song Rio".
"Remembering him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the band released a statement on social media."
His passing follows less than a month after he presented his newest line in London, his first in more than 30 years. Artist Lily Allen showcased a dress evoking the famous black velvet "revenge dress" made famous by Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Lasting Legacy
Born in Yorkshire in 1945, Price headed for London in the early 1960s to study at the prestigious Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he started his work in clothing for men at Stirling Copper and was behind the body-hugging, buttoned trousers that rock legend Mick Jagger famously wore during the iconic group'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 model Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the wedding dress Price created for her for her marriage to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A long-time collaborator of David Bowie, Price created the iconic jacket the star wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His characteristic talent to fuse elements of men's and women's fashion along with his expert craftsmanship in designing form-fitting garments made him a "one-of-a-kind talent," as stated by the British Fashion Council.
By the 1990s, he commenced designing outfits for the then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, which included several ensembles for her US tour following her marriage.
Following a profession lasting over fifty years, Price staged what would be his last show in London recently in partnership with the design house 16Arlington.
- Defined Shapes: Central to his design philosophy.
- Performative Style: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Merging menswear with womenswear.
- A Client List from Rock to 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.