British Designer Antony Price, Famed for Styling Iconic Acts Like Bowie and Duran Duran, Has Died Aged 80.
Antony Price, the influential British fashion designer responsible for a series of unforgettable images favored by musical icons like Bowie and members of Roxy Music, as well as Queen Camilla, has died at 80 years old.
His reputation was built on his architectural shapes and dramatic aesthetics, most notably the soft-colored suits that became famous from rock band Duran Duran's landmark music video for "the song 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 debuted his most recent collection in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. The performer Lily Allen walked in a dress evoking the famous black velvet "dress" once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Pioneering Career
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price headed for London during the sixties to enroll at the esteemed Royal College of Art.
A year after graduating, he started his work in clothing for men at Stirling Copper and was responsible for the form-fitting, button-fly pants that rock legend Mick Jagger sported during the iconic group's Gimme Shelter tour in 1969.
He established his eponymous line in 1979 and presented his inaugural collection a year later. The show featured as its opener creations worn by model Jerry Hall, who also wore the wedding dress Price specifically designed for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A frequent collaborator of musical chameleon 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 blend menswear and womenswear along with his masterful technique in crafting sculptural silhouettes established him as a "true original," as stated by the British Fashion Council.
In the 1990s, he started creating ensembles for Camilla, now Queen Consort, which included several ensembles for her tour of the United States after becoming Duchess.
Following a profession lasting more than five decades, Price held his ultimate fashion presentation in London just last month in partnership with the design house 16Arlington.
- Sculpted Silhouettes: A hallmark of his work.
- Dramatic Impact: Shaping the look of rock and pop.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Blurring lines between clothing for men and women.
- A Client List from Rock to Royalty: Including music legends and the future Queen Consort.
The fashion world says farewell to a genuine innovator whose influence on fashion and music remains indelibly etched.
