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“I Felt So Powerful, Yet Sexy, Wearing His Clothes”: Jerry Hall Remembers Her Long-Time Friend Antony Price
Jerry Hall’s heartfelt tribute to Antony Price hit like a perfectly tailored lamé dress—glamorous, emotional, and impossible to forget. When the legendary British designer passed away on December 16, 2025, at age 80, the supermodel shared memories that captured why his clothes weren’t just fabric; they were confidence in motion. Their friendship spanned five decades, from a mermaid photoshoot in Wales to family fittings decades later. This isn’t just another obituary. It’s a deep dive into a creative bond that shaped glam rock, redefined sexy tailoring, and left a wardrobe full of stories.
The Early Days: How Jerry Hall First Crossed Paths with Antony Price
Jerry Hall met Antony Price right when her modeling career was taking off in 1975. She had just wrapped a British Vogue shoot in Jamaica wearing a blue swimming cap, shot by Norman Parkinson. Bryan Ferry and Price spotted those images and cast her as the mermaid on Roxy Music’s Siren album cover. Price painted her blue, added a tiny rubber swimsuit and headdress he crafted from scraps, and shot it on the rocky coast of Anglesey, Wales. They laughed the whole time, and he even helped wash the paint off before she dashed to catch her train. That playful start turned into a friendship built on trust and creativity.
Antony Price’s Rise: From Yorkshire to Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon
Antony Price grew up in Yorkshire and studied at the Royal College of Art, graduating in 1968. He quickly became the go-to image-maker for musicians who wanted more than off-the-rack looks. His sharp suits and sculptural gowns mixed old Hollywood glamour with futuristic edge. Bryan Ferry called him a master craftsman, and Price styled all eight Roxy Music album covers. He dressed the band and the “Roxy girls” like Amanda Lear and Kari-Ann Muller in pin-up styles that screamed retro-futurism. Price wasn’t just a designer—he was a theatrical visionary who fused fashion with performance.
Jerry Hall as Muse: The Power of Wearing His Designs
Jerry Hall walked every one of Price’s fashion shows and felt unstoppable in his pieces. She once described slipping into his clothes and instantly feeling powerful yet undeniably sexy—the cut hugged in all the right ways without ever feeling restrictive. One standout was the red lamé Jessica Rabbit dress she wore to speak at the Oxford Union in the 1990s. Mick Jagger joined her, and the crowd went wild. Price also created the navy ruched-sleeve dress she wore in Batman and high-waisted trousers she still pulls out today. His tailoring made women feel like they owned the room.
Iconic Collaborations: Roxy Music and Beyond
Price’s work with Roxy Music defined an era. He created everything from Bryan Ferry’s sleek tuxedos to Jerry Hall’s tiger-striped gown with a built-in tail for the “Let’s Stick Together” video. The fabric had hand-painted stripes because no real tiger print would do. Later, he designed electric silk tonic suits for Duran Duran’s “Rio” video and wide-shouldered looks for David Bowie in Loving the Alien. Grace Jones, Paula Yates, and even Lou Reed on the Transformer album back cover benefited from his touch. Price turned musicians into visual legends.
Here’s a quick table of his most memorable music-world moments:
| Year | Project | Key Design Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Roxy Music Siren | Blue mermaid look for Jerry Hall |
| 1976 | “Let’s Stick Together” video | Tiger gown with tail for Jerry Hall |
| 1982 | Duran Duran “Rio” | Colored tonic suits for the band |
| 1984-86 | David Bowie videos | Broad-shouldered tailoring |
| 1981 | Rolling Stones tour | Flag cape for Mick Jagger |
Fashion Shows That Were Pure Spectacle
Price staged only six shows in his career, but each one was an extravaganza. In 1980, models revved motorcycles down the catwalk before whipping off helmets to reveal Jerry Hall and Marie Helvin in tight leather dresses. His 1985 Fashion Aid presentation had Jerry emerging from a giant black velvet box in a metallic lace bolero that shimmered like a Siamese fighting fish under the lights. These weren’t runway walks—they were theatrical events that mixed humor, drama, and pure glamour. Price once joked his job was more “theatrical business” than fashion design.
Personal Friendship: Loyalty, Laughter, and Family Ties
Beyond the spotlight, Price became family to Jerry Hall. He designed Mick Jagger’s stage costumes for the 1981 Rolling Stones tour, including a massive American and British flag cape. For their 1990 Bali commitment ceremony, Price made a simple cream lace Western bridal dress that Jerry later wore as a bridesmaid at Anjelica Huston’s wedding. He even fitted her daughters Lizzy and Georgia May Jagger in his pieces years later. Georgia wore one of his black lamé dresses to The Fashion Awards recently, and Price visited their home for final fittings shortly before his passing. His loyalty ran deep.
The Technical Genius Behind the Glamour
What set Price apart was his obsessive precision. He sewed at home, obsessing over every seam and boning detail. Women called him the “frock surgeon” for his corsetry skills that created hourglass shapes without discomfort. His cocktail dresses nodded to Rita Hayworth and Vegas showgirls, while his suits challenged gender norms with broad shoulders and sharp lines. Even in later years, he bred birds for feathers used by milliners like Philip Treacy. Price never chased trends—he built timeless glamour through craft.
Pros and Cons of Antony Price’s Signature Style
Price’s aesthetic had clear strengths and a few quirks that made it uniquely his.
Pros:
- Incredible tailoring that flattered every body type
- Theatrical flair perfect for stage and red carpet
- Timeless pieces that still feel modern decades later
- Blend of sexy and powerful that empowered women
Cons:
- Limited ready-to-wear availability—mostly custom commissions
- High-shine fabrics could feel too bold for everyday wear
- Shows were rare, so not everyone experienced the full spectacle
Compared to contemporaries like Halston or Yves Saint Laurent, Price stood out for his music-industry roots and showmanship. Halston focused on minimal glamour, while Price leaned into maximalist fantasy.
Jerry Hall’s Favorite Memories: Stories That Still Make Us Smile
One memory Jerry shared always brings a chuckle. During a show, she and Marie Helvin rode motorcycles onstage in leather, then strutted like they owned the world. Price had a wicked sense of humor—he once used tin foil and paint to create a headdress on the spot. Another touching tale: he made pregnancy-friendly evening dresses for Jerry that her daughters later borrowed during their own pregnancies. These stories show how his clothes carried emotional weight across generations.
How Antony Price Influenced Modern Fashion
Price’s impact echoes today. Designers still reference his broad shoulders and sculptural gowns. The 2025 16Arlington collaboration—his final catwalk return—featured Lily Allen in a midnight-blue velvet revenge dress and Lara Stone in a zebra-print trompe-l’oeil gown inspired by Jerry’s archive. His work predicted the power-dressing of the ’80s and the body-positive confidence of today. Young stylists study his Roxy Music covers for lessons in visual storytelling.
Where to Discover Antony Price’s Legacy Today
You can explore Price’s world through museum exhibitions like the Design Museum’s Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s. Auction houses occasionally feature his vintage pieces—Jerry sold several at a charity auction for Emmaus. For inspiration, check Roxy Music album art or Duran Duran videos on YouTube. While ready-to-wear is scarce, modern brands like 16Arlington carry forward his spirit. Fans seeking similar glamour might look at custom tailors who specialize in evening wear.
People Also Ask
Who was Antony Price and why is he important?
Antony Price was a British fashion designer famous for shaping glam rock looks for Roxy Music, Duran Duran, and David Bowie while creating empowering clothes for icons like Jerry Hall.
How did Jerry Hall meet Antony Price?
They connected in 1975 when Price and Bryan Ferry hired her for the Roxy Music Siren album cover after seeing her in British Vogue; he painted her blue for the mermaid shoot.
What clothes did Antony Price design for Jerry Hall?
Price created the red lamé Jessica Rabbit dress, navy Batman gown, cream lace bridal look, pregnancy evening dresses, and high-waisted trousers she still wears.
When and how did Antony Price die?
He passed away on December 16, 2025, at age 80; tributes highlighted his lifelong dedication to craftsmanship and glamour.
What made Antony Price’s fashion shows special?
They were theatrical spectacles with motorcycles, giant boxes, and dramatic reveals—far beyond standard runway walks.
Legacy and Lessons: What We Can Learn from Their Friendship
Jerry Hall and Antony Price’s bond proves that true creativity thrives on trust and fun. He never put ego first; he obsessed over perfecting clothes so wearers felt their best. In an era of fast fashion, his story reminds us that slow, thoughtful design lasts. Jerry’s memories keep his spirit alive—powerful, sexy, and full of laughter.
FAQ
What is the significance of Jerry Hall’s tribute to Antony Price?
Jerry Hall’s Vogue piece offers a personal window into a 50-year friendship, highlighting Price’s talent, kindness, and the joy his designs brought to her family and career.
Did Antony Price design for anyone besides musicians?
Yes—he created custom gowns for Queen Camilla, Kylie Minogue, Tilda Swinton, Daphne Guinness, and many others who valued his precise tailoring and glamorous edge.
Are Antony Price pieces still available?
Vintage items appear at auctions or specialist vintage shops; his influence lives on through collaborations like the recent 16Arlington show.
How did Price’s work challenge fashion norms?
He blurred gender lines with bold tailoring, celebrated sexuality through shine and shape, and treated shows like theater, influencing everything from music videos to modern red carpets.
Why does Jerry Hall still wear his clothes today?
His pieces are timeless, well-made, and emotionally meaningful—she passed many down to her daughters, who continue the tradition.
Price’s death marks the end of an era, but his clothes—and Jerry Hall’s loving memories—keep the glamour burning bright. If you’ve ever slipped into something that made you stand taller and smile wider, you’ve felt a little bit of his magic. Next time you need that boost, remember: a great cut isn’t just style. It’s power. And nobody did it quite like Antony Price.
