British Designer Antony Price, Renowned for Styling Iconic Acts Like Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the influential style architect responsible for a series of unforgettable images worn by musical icons like Bowie and members of Roxy Music, as well as Queen Camilla, has died at the age of 80.
He was celebrated for his sculptured silhouettes and dramatic aesthetics, most notably the light-hued ensembles that became famous from the pop-rock group Duran Duran's landmark music video for "their hit Rio".
"Remembering him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' Duran Duran shared a message online."
Price's death comes less than a month after he unveiled his newest line in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. The performer Lily Allen modelled a dress inspired by the iconic black velvet "revenge dress" made famous by Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Lasting Legacy
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price headed for London in the early 1960s to enroll at the prestigious Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he commenced his career designing clothing for men at the company Stirling Copper and was behind the tight, button-detailed trousers that The Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger famously wore during the band's Gimme Shelter tour in the late sixties.
He founded his own label in 1979 and staged his first fashion show a year later. The show was launched by looks from model Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the marriage dress Price designed for her for her nuptials with Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A key creative partner of David Bowie, Price designed the distinctive jacket the artist wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His trademark skill to merge menswear and womenswear along with his expert craftsmanship in shaping form-fitting garments made him a "genuine original," as stated by the UK's fashion authority.
In the 1990s, he commenced designing pieces for the then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, including several ensembles for her tour of the United States after becoming Duchess.
Following a profession lasting over fifty years, Price held his ultimate fashion presentation in London recently in conjunction with the label 16Arlington.
- Sculpted Silhouettes: Central to his design philosophy.
- Theatrical Flair: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- 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 fashion world laments the passing to a true visionary whose influence on fashion and music remains deeply ingrained.
