Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe passed away in London at the age of 80 following a brief illness. His family released a statement on Saturday confirming his peaceful passing, surrounded by his wife and seven children.
Costelloe was recognized within British and Irish fashion circles and served as the personal designer for Diana, the Princess of Wales.
Career Overview
Born in Dublin, Costelloe's father managed a raincoat manufacturing company. He pursued fashion education at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design in Dublin before attending the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris.
In 1979, he established his own label, Paul Costelloe Collections. He presented collections at major fashion events in London, Paris, Milan, and New York.
From 1983 until her death in 1997, Costelloe was the personal designer to Diana, Princess of Wales. He often incorporated traditional Irish fabrics and textiles, such as Irish linen and tweed, into his designs. Costelloe also collaborated with Dunnes Stores and was the closing designer for the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week in October of this year.
Public Statements
In 1998, Costelloe made a public statement suggesting that Irish women lacked style, commenting, "Irish women have difficulty with style because it's not in their inner nature... like the Italians." However, in a 2023 interview with Irish broadcaster RTÉ, he indicated a perception that Ireland had become more European over time.