Antony Price, the maverick British fashion designer who shaped the iconic looks of music legends like David Bowie, Duran Duran, and Roxy Music, has died at the age of 80. His death was announced today, with tributes pouring in from the fashion and music industries, highlighting his role as a visionary ‘image maker’ who blurred the lines between fashion, theatre, and pop culture.
Price’s career began in the early 1960s after he moved from Yorkshire to study at the Royal College of Art in London. His first major break came at Stirling Cooper, where he designed the body-hugging, buttoned trousers worn by Mick Jagger during The Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter tour in 1969, establishing his reputation for creating dramatic, form-fitting menswear. This early work set the stage for his lifelong collaboration with musicians, who valued his ability to craft personas through clothing.
He is perhaps best known for his extensive work with Roxy Music, styling the band’s eight album covers and creating the glam rock aesthetic that defined their visual identity. Bryan Ferry, Roxy Music’s frontman, praised Price as a ‘master craftsman,’ and his designs for the ‘Roxy girls’ like Jerry Hall and Amanda Lear became symbols of 1970s excess and style. Price’s shop on London’s World’s End was a hub of ultra-glamour, contrasting with the punk scene led by Vivienne Westwood on the same street.
In the 1980s, Price transitioned to working with Duran Duran, designing the sharp, broad-shouldered suits that became synonymous with the band’s ‘yacht rock’ image, most famously in the music video for ‘Rio.’ Duran Duran released a statement remembering him as a ‘kind, intelligent and razor-witted friend’ and a ‘visionary.’ His influence extended to David Bowie, for whom he designed the jacket worn in the ‘As The World Falls Down’ music video, cementing his status as a go-to designer for music icons seeking transformative looks.
Beyond music, Price’s clientele included celebrities like Kylie Minogue and Paula Yates, and he became a favored designer for Queen Camilla, creating several ensembles for her public appearances, including her first US tour as Duchess of Cornwall in 2005. His technical prowess, particularly in corsetry and boning, earned him the nickname ‘the frock surgeon,’ and he was known for his ability to blend menswear and womenswear seamlessly, a rarity in fashion at the time.
Despite his impact, Price staged only six fashion shows in his 55-year career, but he made a notable return to the London catwalk last month after more than three decades, collaborating with the brand 16Arlington. At that show, singer Lily Allen modeled a black velvet ‘revenge dress’ inspired by Princess Diana, demonstrating Price’s enduring relevance and theatrical flair. His recent collection was celebrated as a testament to his innovative spirit, even as he approached his 80s.
Tributes have highlighted Price’s generosity and mentorship in the fashion world. The British Fashion Council, which awarded him the Evening Glamour Award in 1989, called him ‘a true original’ and noted his role in championing young talent and London’s creative scene. Milliner Philip Treacy posted on Instagram, describing Price as ‘a king in the world of fashion’ whose ‘brilliance and technical ability were unmatched.’
Price’s legacy lies in his pioneering fusion of fashion and performance, creating ‘result-wear’ that empowered artists to become style icons. His death marks the end of an era for British design, but his influence will continue to resonate in the worlds of music and fashion, inspiring future generations to embrace bold, individualistic expression.
