Dear Martin,

I actually don’t know where to start. Till this day, I can’t really believe it. I’m glad I made it to see you one last time.

I’ll tell you something that I haven’t told you yet.
In the very beginning of the class, I was a bit hesitant and scared knowing you’re a very strict professor - which was absolutely what I signed up for, but still,  a little scared.

I would ask very politely “can we please schedule a one on one meeting?” at the earlier stage and later it became “1 on 1 meeting!!” - as if I was “demanding” to meet with you, even during thanksgiving. And you still took time to meet with me.

We would talk for over an hour or two. And you were always there listening to me, whether it was about my concepts, my developments, or simply anything in life…You always listened. We talked so much.

Every single week, our meetings were something I really looked forward to. You never know how happy I was when you invited me as a guest critic for the first time.

You once said to me, “I’m not only your fashion teacher at school, but I should also be your life mentor”. I always remember that and I told you how grateful I was to have you as my mentor. Since then, I came to you whenever I needed clarity, or when I simply wanted to share my new achievements.

You always looked after me, cared for me. I know you were so proud of me and I felt it deeply - not because of my achievements, but because I truly enjoyed my work. You told me, “To know that you are happy with your work is the best reward!”

You always said “trust your instincts and know your reason”. I reminded myself every time. And that kept me going.

Now, you’ve become my belief, my thoughts, my spirit - “What would Martin say?” “Martin, what should I do?” You will be there guiding me. I know.

Martin,
…please…I will be missing you…forever…
…as always…
…to be continued…just in a slightly different way…

Ciao ciao~🕊️

Mes sympathies à son frère Danny, nous n'avons pas eu l'occasion de se voir souvent car sa mère Marjory est partie demeurer au états unis. Mais on a pu se revoir à notre ou à votre passage, étant jeunes.  De la part des tous tes cousins et cousines du Québec,Canada.    Linda xx

Dear Martin,

Thank you for always trusting and supporting my vision, even when I couldn't see it clearly myself. You were one of the most important mentors in my life,  but more than that — you were the person who made me believe I belonged in this field.

It has been a great honor being your student. You illuminated my creative journey since the very beginning, not with answers, but with better questions. Your influence will continue to live on in everything I create.

May you rest in peace. I hope wherever you are, the light is perfect and the critique is kind. 

You will be deeply missed.

With all my gratitude and love,
 
Yayi

Parsons 2019,  Yayi Chen ,  Shanghai China

I had the pleasure of learning from Martin at Parsons. His time as my professor is still something me and my friends hold dearly. Martin encouraged creativity unlike any other of the professors at Parsons while fostering a sense of individual confidence that is needed for any creative. I am extremely saddened to know about Martin's passing and wish that he is now at peace, knowing that his words, kindness, generosity, humor and care lives on in all his students.

Part II

I currently own a brick-and-mortar mending studio in Seoul, Korea. It’s modeled after the draft we all had to draw in your class back in 2019 - the dream display of our collection. Even though I have not met you since 2022, you have been part of my life, everyday. Thank you for making this life meaningful for me. It’s more painful. It’s more beautiful. It’s worth it.

I hope you have reunited with your loved one, finally. I will think of you whenever I create a beautiful work. I will continuously create work with meaning. I will carry your spirit on. 

With Love,
Mimi

Parsons, 2023, Seoul South Korea

Part I

Dear Martin,

How have you been? It’s Mimi, your student from 2019 and 2022 who was obsessed with the 60s and 70s counterculture. I loved everyone of our one-on-one conversations about the fashion and life of back then. It’s always been surreal talking to you. It’s like I am living in my dream time in history. I’m sorry I haven’t been a great friend. But in my defense, you are way too respected for me to lose my nervousness when I’m around you. 

Intentions. Intentions. Intentions. Perhaps that’s why I couldn’t become so friendly with you. Before we meet every time whether in class, or during office hours, I always had to be crystal clear of what the intention of our conversation would be. Though that made our talks less casual, it made every single one of them immensely meaningful. The number of our talk can be counted with all my fingers, but the information passed along - will stay with me for life. Talking about quality over quantity, huh? 

You were not merely a fashion mentor to me, but a life mentor. Having your guidance overwhelm me in 2019, making me drop out of the year; to me overcoming the fear and having the courage to be guided by you again in 2022. You are the one who taught me fear, who taught me courage, who taught me having faith in myself, and who taught me how to always, always come back stronger. Being in your class has not been easy. To live 100% consciously even once a week, was not easy. However, due to that once-a-week practice, I have learnt the habit to focus, even if just once a week. You have made me who I am today as a person, and as a designer. 

(Parsons, 2023, Seoul South Korea)

Hi Martin,

I was so in shock when I heard the news from Jasmine and Desmond.

It is not exaggerating to say that you are one of the most important mentors in my life. You shaped my view on fashion as a form of art, as a form of business, and as an industry. 

If I have to be honest, it was tough to take your class back in 2022, I felt like I was under great pressure every single week and was losing my mind having to prepare a 15 mins presentation twice a week. I was frustrated at how you structured the course from time to time that year and not until some time later I realized how much you pushed me forward. 

And it was years later that I realized I won’t have the same amount of confidence talking about my work if I didn't take your class. And it was years later that I realized I should have been more grateful for your strictness. 

I want to tell you that I am proud to be one of your students and I thank you for listening to our stories. And most importantly, believing in our universe. 

I feel regretful that I haven’t achieved anything significant to make you proud yet, you didn’t give me much time Martin. And I am regretful that I didn’t express enough gratitude when I had the chance to. But you will be missed truly, and I promise a part of you lives in me as an artist, it lives through my work, it even lives through my way of working with people. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you. 
Thank you for everything. 

Sincerely,
Katherine

(Parsons, 2023, Shanghai)

Dear Martin,

I can’t remember the last time we talked or communicated through words. But it feels like Centuries ago to me. When I got back to China, life in New York was left behind and it was like a deep and profound dream. I don’t want to recollect the details in school because doing that will only remind me how wonderful and meaningful it was… I never had a chance to revisit New York , I never had a chance to meet you again and I just can’t believe that was the end of the story. Anyways, thank you, Martin, thank you for your guidance and patience, thank you for your wisdom and encouragement. I guess death may not be the end, OBLIVION IS. You will always be missed and I’m just so proud to be one of your friends and students.

May you rest in peace.

(Parsons 2018 , Shenzhen, China)

Dear Martin, 

It has been 6 years since I left Parsons/New York. Life has changed so much and I am no longer working in the fashion industry any more. These days when people ask me to show some of my old fashion work, I always show them the collection I made under your guidance. I never felt such kind of ownership toward my own work and thank you for teaching me this important life lesson. Your class has probably been the toughest one during my four years of study, but it was a journey of self-discovery and self- challenge. I think I have been applying these qualities I learned from your class and my work really stands out, even in fields outside of fashion. Thank you for teaching me the importance of ownership of my voice, the tenacity to defend my voice, and the courage to be myself unapologetically. 

You will truly be missed and rest in peace.

(Parsons 2020, Paris)

To my beloved Mr.Price,

I always considered myself to be very fortunate to have been one of your students. Your class was creative and inspiring, and is still helpful for me till this day. I feel really sorry that I wasn’t really able to express my feelings and gratitude to you, but now, with this precious opportunity, I truly want to say I appreciate everything that you shared with me.

Professor Martin, you’ll be forever missed and remembered.

May you rest in peace, and be one with the angels.
Love,
Chen

(Parsons 2019,  from Shanghai China)

Hi Martin,

We haven’t talked since my junior year at Parsons ended. It’s already been 7 years. 

And I have left New York for 5 years already.  I couldn’t put into words when I heard that you left, I just had a trip to New York this Christmas. I saw many old friends from Parsons.

Life has changed a lot since we graduated from Parsons.  The time I left was during Covid, New York was in a mess. And it still took me many years after that to clearly realize that it was not a city that I wanted to build a life there.

But I had a wonderful time in Parsons, I met the most amazing and talented friends there. 

You will be so happy and proud for us if you could see how much we’ve grown these years. I’m able to talk about my fking abstract creative vision now. Milan paints great oil paintings; she knits chic sweaters if you could see; she could make the greatest Chinese cuisine if you could taste it. Yaqi is still passionate about fashion. So does Tuan. Lang is doing great with her poetic dessert brand in New York. Rui is building a cutting-edge start-up on her own. 

I know you could see it’s all happening.  I know you are watching. 
I will never forget about ‘great style’. The first words you said when I met you in one for the first time. And hopefully I could enrich the words along my ongoing journey.

Thank you for your dedication to your profession.

You are missed, 
by so many. 
May you rest in peace, dear Martin. 

(Parsons 2020, London UK)

Dear Martin,

There is no way to express how much you have supported me. I was fortunate enough to first take your class in my sophomore year. I remember you, standing in the classroom in your signature white shirt and khaki pants, listening to me explaining my first concept with a trembling voice. With your gentle encouragement, I got to sharpen my thoughts and skills, and eventually found my own voice as a designer. You have always been so kind and your recognition meant the world to me. 

I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for the critique you invited me to. I’m sorry that I couldn’t even gather up the courage to tell you I’m sorry. I couldn’t bear showing my face to you, knowing that you believed in me, when I’ve let myself down.

It’s been 8 years since we last saw each other. I couldn’t make it to the cafe near you when I visited last September, but I didn’t know it was my last chance. You wished me a safe trip back to SH, I asked you to take care of yourself until we meet again. But it’s just like the critique I missed, my timing was always wrong.

Dear Martin, thank you for keeping me in your thoughts all these years. Thank you for your guidance and wisdom. Thank you for seeing me when I couldn’t see myself. I’m so proud to be your student. May you rest in peace. I’ll carry the memories and everything you taught me wherever I go.

（Parsons 2018, Shanghai, China）

Dear Martin,

I was very fortunate to take your classes for two semesters in my junior year, and then to continue working closely with you during my senior year while preparing my thesis. I still remember how often I asked for one-to-one meetings, and how carefully you listened to my research, always offering clear guidance and thoughtful direction.
Because of you, my final two years at Parsons were challenging in the best way — pushing me beyond myself — and at the same time deeply supported. I always felt seen and cared for under your mentorship. I have always been, and will always be, proud to say that I was your student.

I remember so many small details about you. You once told me you were a Pisces with Capricorn rising. You enjoyed wine, and occasionally a glass of champagne, but never whisky. You often wore a Chinese-style long robe, which you said had been made by an old tailor in China through a Chinese friend of yours. You always wore that red, white, and blue striped pin — the American flag — though many students asked if it was Thom Browne. And you replied to emails so early, you explained, because you lived a very disciplined life, waking up early and going to bed early, even on weekends and holidays.

Four years after graduation, I was so happy that we met again in New York in the spring of 2024. We talked from noon until five in the afternoon at a café on the Upper East Side. You spoke with such care about your former students, and you told me that you remembered each of us.

Thank you, Martin！May you rest in peace.

(Parsons 2020, London)

I always wished I could take your class, but unfortunately I didn’t have enough credits and could never secure a spot.
Thank you for your generosity  even though I was never formally in your class, you were still willing to stay after class and give me guidance and advice on  Joe’s Blackbook and CFDA.

Thank you, Martin.
I truly believe that in the year I graduated, you must have been proud to call me one of your students.

After graduation, due to personal reasons, I had to return home in great haste. Please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye.
I will carry your teachings with me and continue striving in this industry.

May you rest in peace.

(Parsons 2018, Guangzhou China)

Sending love to you Martin, you will be missed by many!!

Dear Martin
I feel extremely lucky to have been your student. You provided the love and care for us like a parent, a friend, and a mentor. You were always there for us whenever we needed guidance. Your thoughts, lessons, and values will continue to live on through us. You are deeply missed, and you will always hold a special place in my heart.

OBITUARY

Martin Frederick Price

March 19, 1956 – January 20, 2026

Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel | Funeral & Cremation

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services