British Designer Antony Price, Famed for Designing for David Bowie and Duran Duran, Dies at 80.
Fashion legend Antony Price, the visionary British fashion designer behind many legendary styles favored by musical icons like Bowie and members of Roxy Music, as well as Queen Camilla, has died aged 80.
His reputation was built on his defined forms and dramatic aesthetics, including the pastel suits that appeared in the pop-rock group Duran Duran's seminal music video for "their hit Rio".
"They honored him as a 'visionary' and a 'kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend,' the group posted a remembrance online."
This news arrives shortly after he unveiled his latest collection in London, marking his return to the runway after over three decades. The performer Lily Allen modelled a dress inspired by the notorious black velvet "revenge dress" once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales.
A Pioneering Career
A native of Yorkshire, born in 1945, Price moved to London at the start of the 1960s to enroll at the esteemed Royal College of Art.
Upon completing his studies, he started his work in menswear at the label Stirling Copper and was the creator of the tight, button-detailed trousers that rock legend Mick Jagger famously wore during The Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter tour in 1969.
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 was also seen in the wedding dress Price specifically designed for her nuptials with Sir Mick Jagger.
Partnerships with Stars
A long-time collaborator of the late David Bowie, Price created the memorable jacket the star wore for his "the song As The World Falls Down" music video in 1986.
His characteristic talent to blend tailoring for all genders along with his expert craftsmanship in shaping sculptural silhouettes cemented his status as a "genuine original," as stated by the UK's fashion authority.
By the 1990s, he started creating ensembles for the then-Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, such as several ensembles for her US tour after assuming the title.
With a vocation that covered half a century, Price staged what would be his last show in London recently in conjunction with the label 16Arlington.
- Architectural Forms: Central to his design philosophy.
- Dramatic Impact: Influencing music videos and stagewear.
- Boundary-Pushing Tailoring: Merging menswear with womenswear.
- Working with Stars and Royalty: Spanning iconic musicians and members of the royal family.
The industry laments the passing to a authentic original whose impact on fashion and music remains deeply ingrained.
