British Designer Antony Price, Celebrated for Creating Looks for David Bowie and Duran Duran, Passes Away at Age 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the visionary UK-based designer responsible for a series of unforgettable images favored by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has died at the age of 80.
His reputation was built on his architectural shapes and performative fashion, including the pastel suits that featured in the iconic band Duran Duran's classic 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."
This news arrives shortly after he debuted his latest collection in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. Singer Lily Allen modelled a dress inspired by the notorious black velvet "revenge dress" once worn by the late Princess Diana.
An Enduring Influence
Born in Yorkshire in 1945, Price headed for London in the early 1960s to enroll at the prestigious Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he started his work in men's fashion at Stirling Copper and was the creator of the form-fitting, button-fly pants that Sir Mick Jagger famously wore during the iconic group's Gimme Shelter tour in the late sixties.
He launched his own brand in 1979 and held his debut runway presentation a year later. The show featured as its opener outfits on model Jerry Hall, who also wore the bridal gown Price specifically designed for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Partnerships with Stars
A key creative partner of the late David Bowie, Price created the iconic jacket the star wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His signature ability to blend tailoring for all genders along with his expert craftsmanship in crafting sculptural silhouettes cemented his status as a "true original," according to the UK's fashion authority.
By the 1990s, he began working on pieces for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, including various looks for her US tour after becoming Duchess.
After a career spanning over fifty years, Price staged what would be his last show in London last month in partnership with the label 16Arlington.
- Defined Shapes: A hallmark of his work.
- Theatrical Flair: Defining an era of music fashion.
- Gender-Fluid Fashion: Blurring lines between clothing for men and women.
- A Client List from Rock to Royalty: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
Design circles mourns the loss to a genuine innovator whose influence on the visual landscape of music remains deeply ingrained.
