Antony Price, Famed for Designing for David Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
The British designer Antony Price, the visionary UK-based designer who crafted a series of unforgettable images favored by David Bowie, Roxy Music, and Queen Camilla, has died aged 80.
Price was best known for his defined forms and theatrical styles, most notably the light-hued ensembles that became famous from the pop-rock group 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 across their platforms."
Price's death comes just weeks after he debuted his newest line in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. Singer Lily Allen walked in a dress that paid homage to the iconic black velvet "revenge dress" historically worn by the late Princess Diana.
A Pioneering Career
Born in Yorkshire in 1945, Price headed for London at the start of the 1960s to study at the renowned Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he began designing men's fashion at Stirling Copper and was responsible for the tight, button-detailed trousers that rock legend Mick Jagger famously wore during The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" tour in the late sixties.
He launched his own brand in 1979 and presented his inaugural collection a year later. The show featured as its opener creations worn by supermodel Jerry Hall, who later wore the marriage dress Price specifically designed for her wedding to Sir Mick Jagger.
Partnerships with Stars
A frequent collaborator of David Bowie, Price created the distinctive jacket the star wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His characteristic talent to merge elements of men's and women's fashion along with his masterful technique in designing form-fitting garments established him as a "genuine original," in the words of the UK's fashion authority.
During the nineties, he started creating outfits for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, which included a number of outfits for her tour of the United States following her marriage.
With a vocation that covered half a century, Price staged what would be his last show in London recently in partnership with the label 16Arlington.
- Sculpted Silhouettes: A hallmark of his work.
- Theatrical Flair: Defining an era of music fashion.
- Genre-Blending Design: Blurring lines between clothing for men and women.
- Clients from Stage to Palace: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
Design circles laments the passing to a authentic original whose impact on fashion and music remains deeply ingrained.
