Antony Price, Famed for Styling David Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the groundbreaking style architect behind many legendary styles associated with musical icons like Bowie and members of Roxy Music, as well as Queen Camilla, has died at the age of 80.
Price was best known for his architectural shapes and performative fashion, such as the pastel suits that appeared in rock band Duran Duran's landmark music video for "the song Rio".
"They honored him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' Duran Duran shared a message on social media."
His passing follows just weeks after he debuted his latest collection in London, his first in more than 30 years. The performer Lily Allen modelled a dress that paid homage to the famous black velvet "dress" historically worn by Princess Diana.
A Pioneering Career
Born in Yorkshire in 1945, Price moved to London during the sixties to attend the prestigious Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, 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 famously wore during The Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter tour in the late sixties.
He established his eponymous line in 1979 and presented his inaugural collection a year later. The show featured as its opener creations worn by the famed model Jerry Hall, who later wore the marriage dress Price created for her for her marriage to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A key creative partner of David Bowie, Price created the iconic jacket the artist wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His trademark skill to blend tailoring for all genders along with his technical proficiency in shaping body-hugging looks made him a "true original," as stated by the British Fashion Council.
During the nineties, he commenced designing ensembles for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, including a number of outfits for her US tour after becoming Duchess.
After a career spanning more than five decades, Price presented his final runway show in London just last month in partnership with the fashion brand 16Arlington.
- Architectural Forms: Central to his design philosophy.
- Dramatic Impact: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- Working with Stars and Royalty: Including music legends and the future Queen Consort.
Design circles mourns the loss to a authentic original whose impact on fashion and music remains deeply ingrained.
