Antony Price, Celebrated for Styling Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
Antony Price, the visionary UK-based designer who crafted some of the most iconic looks worn by David Bowie, Roxy Music, and Queen Camilla, has passed away at the age of 80.
Price was best known for his architectural shapes and performative fashion, most notably the light-hued ensembles that appeared in 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 band released a statement online."
His passing follows just weeks after he presented his newest line in London, which was his first major show in over 30 years. Singer Lily Allen modelled a dress evoking the notorious black velvet "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 in the early 1960s to study at the renowned Royal College of Art.
A year after graduating, he commenced his career designing menswear at the label Stirling Copper and was responsible for the tight, button-detailed trousers that The Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger sported during the band's Gimme Shelter tour in the late sixties.
He launched his own brand in 1979 and staged his first fashion show a year later. The show was launched by creations worn by model Jerry Hall, who also wore the wedding dress Price specifically designed for her nuptials with Sir Mick Jagger.
Working with Legends
A frequent collaborator of David Bowie, Price created the memorable jacket the star wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His trademark skill to blend tailoring for all genders along with his masterful technique in crafting body-hugging looks cemented his status as a "genuine original," as stated by the British Fashion Council.
During the nineties, he commenced designing ensembles for the then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, which included various looks for her American tour following her marriage.
Following a profession lasting over fifty years, Price presented his final runway show in London last month in conjunction with the label 16Arlington.
- Defined Shapes: The core of his aesthetic.
- Performative Style: Shaping the look of rock and pop.
- Genre-Blending Design: Merging menswear with womenswear.
- Working with Stars and Royalty: Including music legends and the future Queen Consort.
The industry laments the passing to a true visionary whose influence on style and culture remains deeply ingrained.
