It’s a fashion tragedy that more people don’t know the name Antony Price. This unsung hero of glamour has shaped decades of style, yet his legacy remains criminally overlooked. Born in 1945, Price isn’t just a designer—he’s a cultural architect. From crafting the bold, androgynous aesthetic of Roxy Music in the ‘70s to influencing Duran Duran in the ‘80s, his work blurred the lines between masculinity and femininity, high fashion, and high camp. His exaggerated silhouettes and unconventional materials didn’t just define glam rock; they laid the foundation for the power-dressing era that followed. Fast forward 40 years, and Price has teamed up with 16Arlington’s creative director, Marco Capaldo, for a made-to-order collection that screams “glamour is alive and well”.
Yesterday’s showcase at 16Arlington’s East London studio was a masterclass in cross-generational brilliance. Sixteen British models, each representing a different era of style, strutted in 16 unique looks, from Lily Allen’s runway debut in an ink-blue velvet gown with a plunging neckline to Lara Stone, Edie Campbell, and Lila Moss draped in feathers, crystals, and chiffon. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this a celebration of timeless elegance, or a nostalgic nod to a bygone era? Either way, Manolo Blahnik’s bespoke shoes ensured every step was a statement.
Some ensembles were pure Antony Price, like the satin strapless bra paired with plissé trousers and his iconic “Zephyr” cape jacket, a direct reference to his 1983 collection. Others were a seamless blend of both designers’ signatures—think a Cadbury-brown calf leather hourglass jacket with exaggerated cuffs and a high “Dracula” collar, paired with a floor-grazing black chiffon skirt that whispered 16Arlington’s future. And this is the part most people miss: This wasn’t just a tribute to the past; it was a reinvention of it. Price and Capaldo didn’t wallow in nostalgia; they adapted timeless ideas for today’s desires.
This collaboration joins the ranks of fashion’s most iconic pairings, like Dries Van Noten and Christian Lacroix’s 2020 collection or Marc Jacobs and André Walker’s enduring consultancy. For Capaldo, it’s another step in his evolution as a designer who refuses to play by the rules. After blurring fashion and art with collaborations like Almine Rech and Jesse Pollock, he’s now embracing London’s subversive history of underground runway shows. Bold move? Absolutely. But it’s this willingness to challenge norms that keeps his brand fresh.
The word “timeless” gets tossed around so much it’s lost its weight, but this collection proves its worth. Price’s designs aren’t just relics of the past; they’re blueprints for the future. And Capaldo, though young, isn’t just paying lip service to his influences—he’s weaving them into something entirely new. Here’s the question: In an industry obsessed with trends, can collaborations like this truly break the cycle? Or are they just another fleeting moment?
One thing’s for sure: glamour is forever, and Antony Price deserves every ounce of recognition. This collection isn’t just a celebration—it’s a reminder that fashion’s greatest power lies in its ability to connect generations. So, what do you think? Is this the future of fashion, or a beautifully executed trip down memory lane? Let’s debate in the comments.
