British Designer Antony Price, Celebrated for Creating Looks for David Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the groundbreaking UK-based designer behind many legendary styles favored by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has passed away at 80 years old.
Price was best known for his architectural shapes and dramatic aesthetics, most notably the light-hued ensembles that appeared in the pop-rock group Duran Duran's landmark music video for "their hit Rio".
"Remembering him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the band released a statement online."
Price's death comes just weeks after he unveiled his newest line in London, his first in more than 30 years. The performer Lily Allen walked in a dress evoking the iconic black velvet "so-called 'revenge dress'" historically worn by Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Lasting Legacy
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price relocated to London during the sixties to attend the prestigious Royal College of Art.
A year after graduating, he started his work in clothing for men at the label Stirling Copper and was behind the body-hugging, buttoned trousers that rock legend Mick Jagger sported during The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" tour in 1969.
He launched his own brand in 1979 and staged his first fashion show a year later. The show opened with looks from supermodel Jerry Hall, who later wore the marriage dress Price specifically designed for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A long-time collaborator of the late David Bowie, Price was the mind behind the memorable jacket the singer wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His characteristic talent to fuse tailoring for all genders along with his expert craftsmanship in crafting body-hugging looks made him a "one-of-a-kind talent," according to the British Fashion Council.
During the nineties, he started creating pieces for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, which included various looks for her American tour after assuming the title.
With a vocation that covered half a century, Price staged what would be his last show in London last month in conjunction with the fashion brand 16Arlington.
- Architectural Forms: A hallmark of his work.
- Theatrical Flair: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Gender-Fluid Fashion: Merging menswear with womenswear.
- Clients from Stage to Palace: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
The fashion world laments the passing to a authentic original whose legacy on style and culture remains profoundly felt.
