Antony Price, Famed for Designing for David Bowie and Duran Duran, Has Died Aged 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the visionary UK-based designer behind a series of unforgettable images associated with musical icons like Bowie and members of Roxy Music, as well as Queen Camilla, has sadly died aged 80.
His reputation was built on his architectural shapes and dramatic aesthetics, including the light-hued ensembles that featured in the pop-rock group Duran Duran's seminal music video for "their hit Rio".
"In a tribute, they called him a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the group posted a remembrance on social media."
His passing follows just weeks after he unveiled his newest line in London, his first in more than 30 years. The performer Lily Allen showcased a dress evoking the iconic black velvet "revenge dress" made famous by the late Princess Diana.
A Pioneering Career
A native of Yorkshire, born in 1945, Price relocated to London in the early 1960s to enroll at the prestigious Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he began designing menswear at the company Stirling Copper and was the creator of the tight, button-detailed trousers that The Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger famously wore during The Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter tour in 1969.
He founded his own label in 1979 and held his debut runway presentation a year later. The show opened with creations worn by supermodel Jerry Hall, who later wore the marriage dress Price specifically designed for her marriage to Sir Mick Jagger.
Working with Legends
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 elements of men's and women's fashion along with his expert craftsmanship in crafting body-hugging looks established him as a "true original," in the words of the British Fashion Council.
In the 1990s, he commenced designing ensembles for Camilla, now Queen Consort, such as several ensembles for her American tour after assuming the title.
After a career spanning half a century, Price staged what would be his last show in London recently in collaboration with the fashion brand 16Arlington.
- Architectural Forms: Central to his design philosophy.
- Theatrical Flair: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Gender-Fluid Fashion: 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 true visionary whose influence on style and culture remains deeply ingrained.