British Designer Antony Price, Celebrated for Styling Iconic Acts Like Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
Antony Price, the influential style architect behind some of the most iconic looks associated with David Bowie, Roxy Music, and Queen Camilla, has died aged 80.
Price was best known for his defined forms and performative fashion, most notably the soft-colored suits that featured in rock band Duran Duran's seminal music video for "their hit Rio".
"They honored him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the band released a statement across their platforms."
His passing follows less than a month after he unveiled his newest line in London, which was his first major show in over 30 years. The performer Lily Allen walked in a dress evoking the famous black velvet "so-called 'revenge dress'" historically worn by Princess Diana.
A Pioneering Career
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price headed for London in the early 1960s to enroll at the renowned Royal College of Art.
A year after graduating, he commenced his career designing men's fashion at the label Stirling Copper and was responsible for the tight, button-detailed trousers that The Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger sported during the iconic group's "Gimme Shelter" tour in the late sixties.
He established his eponymous line in 1979 and held his debut runway presentation a year later. The show opened with looks from model Jerry Hall, who also wore the bridal gown Price created for her for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A long-time collaborator of David Bowie, Price created the iconic jacket the artist wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His trademark skill to fuse elements of men's and women's fashion along with his expert craftsmanship in designing body-hugging looks cemented his status as a "true original," in the words of the British Fashion Council.
In the 1990s, he commenced designing pieces for Camilla, now Queen Consort, such as various looks for her American tour after assuming the title.
After a career spanning more than five decades, Price presented his final runway show in London last month in conjunction with the design house 16Arlington.
- Defined Shapes: A hallmark of his work.
- Theatrical Flair: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- A Client List from Rock to Royalty: Including music legends and the future Queen Consort.
Design circles laments the passing to a authentic original whose impact on style and culture remains profoundly felt.
