Antony Price, Celebrated for Styling Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
Fashion legend Antony Price, the visionary British fashion designer behind a series of unforgettable images favored by artists from David Bowie to Roxy Music and even royalty like Queen Camilla, has sadly died at 80 years old.
His reputation was built on his architectural shapes and theatrical styles, including the pastel suits that became famous from rock band Duran Duran's landmark music video for "the song Rio".
"In a tribute, they called him a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the group posted a remembrance online."
This news arrives shortly after he unveiled his newest line in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. The performer Lily Allen showcased a dress evoking the notorious black velvet "dress" once worn by the late Princess Diana.
A Pioneering Career
A native of Yorkshire, born in 1945, Price relocated to London at the start of the 1960s to attend the renowned Royal College of Art.
Shortly after his graduation, he commenced his career designing clothing for men at Stirling Copper and was responsible for 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 staged his first fashion show a year later. The show opened with looks from the famed model Jerry Hall, who was also seen in the wedding dress Price specifically designed for her marriage to Sir Mick Jagger.
Collaborations with Icons
A long-time collaborator of the late David Bowie, Price was the mind behind the distinctive jacket the star wore for his "As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His signature ability to merge elements of men's and women's fashion along with his technical proficiency in shaping form-fitting garments established him as a "true original," in the words of the British Fashion Council.
In the 1990s, he commenced designing pieces for Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, which included various looks for her tour of the United States following her marriage.
After a career spanning half a century, Price staged what would be his last show in London recently in conjunction with the label 16Arlington.
- Architectural Forms: A hallmark of his work.
- Theatrical Flair: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Gender-Fluid Fashion: Creating a unique, androgynous style.
- Clients from Stage to Palace: Including music legends and the future Queen Consort.
The industry laments the passing to a authentic original whose impact on style and culture remains indelibly etched.
