British Designer Antony Price, Renowned for Creating Looks for Iconic Acts Like Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the groundbreaking style architect behind some of the most iconic looks favored by 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 defined forms and dramatic aesthetics, most notably the soft-colored suits that became famous from the iconic band Duran Duran's seminal music video for "Rio".
"In a tribute, they called him a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the group posted a remembrance online."
This news arrives shortly after he unveiled his latest collection in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. Singer Lily Allen walked in a dress that paid homage to the notorious black velvet "dress" historically worn by Princess Diana.
A Lasting Legacy
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price headed for London during the sixties to enroll at the prestigious 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 form-fitting, button-fly pants that Sir Mick Jagger famously wore during the band's "Gimme Shelter" tour in 1969.
He founded his own label in 1979 and staged his first fashion show a year later. The show featured as its opener creations worn by the famed model Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the marriage dress Price specifically designed for her marriage to Sir Mick Jagger.
Working with Legends
A long-time collaborator of the late David Bowie, Price was the mind behind the memorable jacket the star wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His characteristic talent to fuse menswear and womenswear along with his technical proficiency in crafting sculptural silhouettes made him a "one-of-a-kind talent," as stated by the British Fashion Council.
In the 1990s, he began working on pieces for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, such as several ensembles 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 label 16Arlington.
- Architectural Forms: The core of his aesthetic.
- Dramatic Impact: Shaping the look of rock and pop.
- Genre-Blending Design: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- Working with Stars and Royalty: Including music legends and the future Queen Consort.
The industry mourns the loss to a true visionary whose influence on fashion and music remains indelibly etched.