British Designer Antony Price, Famed for Creating Looks for Iconic Acts Like Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
Antony Price, the visionary style architect who crafted 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.
His reputation was built on his architectural shapes and theatrical styles, most notably the light-hued ensembles that appeared in rock band Duran Duran's seminal music video for "the song Rio".
"In a tribute, they called him 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 debuted his newest line in London, his first in more than 30 years. Artist Lily Allen showcased a dress evoking the famous black velvet "revenge dress" made famous by Princess Diana.
A Pioneering Career
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price relocated to London in the early 1960s to study at the esteemed Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he began designing menswear at Stirling Copper and was behind the tight, button-detailed trousers that rock legend Mick Jagger famously wore during The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" tour in 1969.
He established his eponymous line in 1979 and held his debut runway presentation a year later. The show featured as its opener outfits on supermodel Jerry Hall, who also wore the bridal gown 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 distinctive jacket the star wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His signature ability to fuse menswear and womenswear along with his expert craftsmanship in designing form-fitting garments cemented his status as a "one-of-a-kind talent," in the words of the UK's fashion authority.
In the 1990s, he started creating ensembles for Camilla, now Queen Consort, such as several ensembles for her American tour after assuming the title.
After a career spanning over fifty years, Price staged what would be his last show in London last month in collaboration with the label 16Arlington.
- Sculpted Silhouettes: The core of his aesthetic.
- Theatrical Flair: Defining an era of music fashion.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- Clients from Stage to Palace: From David Bowie and Mick Jagger to Queen Camilla.
Design circles mourns the loss to a genuine innovator whose influence on the visual landscape of music remains deeply ingrained.
