Antony Price, Renowned for Designing for Iconic Acts Like Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the groundbreaking British fashion designer responsible for some of the most iconic looks favored by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has died at 80 years old.
His reputation was built on his architectural shapes and performative fashion, including the pastel suits that became famous from rock 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 band released a statement across their platforms."
Price's death comes just weeks after he debuted his most recent collection in London, his first in more than 30 years. Singer Lily Allen modelled a dress inspired by the iconic black velvet "so-called 'revenge dress'" made famous by Diana, Princess of Wales.
An Enduring Influence
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price relocated to London at the start of the 1960s to enroll at the prestigious Royal College of Art.
Shortly after his graduation, he started his work in clothing for men at Stirling Copper and was behind the body-hugging, buttoned trousers that rock legend Mick Jagger sported during The Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter tour in 1969.
He launched his own brand in 1979 and presented his inaugural collection a year later. The show was launched by creations worn by the famed model Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the wedding dress Price specifically designed for her nuptials with Sir Mick Jagger.
Partnerships with Stars
A key creative partner of the late David Bowie, Price created the memorable jacket the star wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His signature ability to merge elements of men's and women's fashion along with his expert craftsmanship in crafting sculptural silhouettes cemented his status as a "genuine original," in the words of the UK's fashion authority.
In the 1990s, he began working on pieces for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, including various looks for her American tour after assuming the title.
With a vocation that covered over fifty years, Price held his ultimate fashion presentation in London just last month in conjunction with the design house 16Arlington.
- Sculpted Silhouettes: Central to his design philosophy.
- Performative Style: Shaping the look of rock and pop.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- A Client List from Rock to Royalty: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
The industry says farewell to a genuine innovator whose legacy on fashion and music remains indelibly etched.
