Antony Price: Fashion Icon Behind Rock’s Greatest Looks Dies at 80
A Loss for British Fashion
British fashion has lost one of its most influential designers, as Antony Price died aged 80. His death comes just weeks after he returned to the London runways in a collaboration with 16Arlington, a poignant reminder of his enduring creative genius. Price’s passing marks the end of an era for British fashion, as he was instrumental in defining the visual identity of rock music’s most iconic moments from the 1970s through to the modern day.
The Architect of Rock’s Visual Identity
Price was an English fashion designer best known for evening wear and suits, and for being as much an ‘image-maker’ as a designer. His influence extended far beyond the catwalk. Price collaborated with musicians including David Bowie, Robert Palmer, Iva Davies, Steve Strange, and Duran Duran, but especially Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music, whose look was defined by Price’s designs. His work helped create some of the most memorable images in pop culture history, including the pastel coloured silk suits worn in Duran Duran’s ‘Rio’ video.
His mastery of cutting and silhouette helped reshape men’s suiting in the 1980s. Beyond his technical prowess, Price dressed celebrated figures from David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Paula Yates to, more recently, Queen Camilla and Kylie Minogue. Despite his tremendous impact, Price was a criminally overlooked talent, whose impact on fashion, taste and popular culture far outweighed his name recognition.
A Triumphant Final Chapter
His designs were back on the catwalk last month as the made-to-order collaboration collection with 16Arlington was unveiled and showed he’d lost none of his feel for in-your-face glamour and sexiness. The show proved that Price’s vision remained as relevant and spectacular as ever, even after decades in the industry. Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes wrote: ‘He never failed to deliver. His swan song fashion show, just a few weeks ago was as spectacular and relevant as the first one I ever saw’.
Legacy and Significance
Antony Price’s legacy extends beyond clothing—he was a master of transformation who understood that fashion could create entire personas. His work helped musicians and celebrities craft their public images during pivotal moments in cultural history. For fashion enthusiasts and music fans alike, Price’s death represents the loss of a true visionary whose influence will continue to resonate through the archives of rock history and contemporary fashion design. His ability to blend theatrical drama with impeccable tailoring set a standard that designers continue to aspire to today.