The Fashion Icon Antony Price, Renowned for Designing for David Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
Fashion legend Antony Price, the groundbreaking UK-based designer who crafted some of the most iconic looks favored by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has passed away at 80 years old.
His reputation was built on his sculptured silhouettes and theatrical styles, most notably the pastel suits that became famous from rock band Duran Duran's classic music video for "the song Rio".
"They honored him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the band released a statement online."
His passing follows shortly after he presented his newest line in London, which was his first major show in over 30 years. Singer Lily Allen showcased a dress evoking the famous black velvet "so-called 'revenge dress'" made famous by Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Lasting Legacy
Hailing from Yorkshire, where he was born in 1945, Price headed for London during the sixties to study at the esteemed Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he started his work in men's fashion at the company Stirling Copper and was the creator of the body-hugging, buttoned trousers that Sir Mick Jagger famously wore 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 opened with creations worn by model Jerry Hall, who also wore the wedding dress Price created for her for her nuptials with Sir Mick Jagger.
Partnerships with Stars
A long-time collaborator of David Bowie, Price designed the iconic jacket the star 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 masterful technique in shaping sculptural silhouettes cemented his status as a "genuine original," in the words of the UK's fashion authority.
By the 1990s, he started creating ensembles for Camilla, now Queen Consort, including a number of outfits for her tour of the United States after becoming Duchess.
Following a profession lasting 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.
- Performative Style: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Gender-Fluid Fashion: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- Clients from Stage to Palace: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
The fashion world laments the passing to a genuine innovator whose legacy on the visual landscape of music remains profoundly felt.
