Legendary Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe has died at the age of 80 in London, surrounded by his family after a short illness. His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned more than four decades and made him one of the most celebrated names in both Irish and British fashion BreakingNews.ie EVOKE RTÉ Ireland.
A Career Defined by Elegance
Born in Dublin in 1945, Costelloe trained at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design before honing his craft in Paris, Milan, and New York. In 1979, he established his family-run label, Paul Costelloe Collections, which became synonymous with classical tailoring and refined elegance. For over 35 years, he was a fixture at London Fashion Week, presenting collections that blended Irish heritage with international polish BreakingNews.ie RTÉ Ireland.
Royal Connection
Costelloe’s career reached global prominence in the 1980s when he was appointed personal designer to Princess Diana, a role he held until her death in 1997. His designs for the Princess were widely admired for their sophistication and timeless appeal, cementing his reputation as a designer of distinction BreakingNews.ie RTÉ Ireland.
Legacy and Influence
Beyond couture, Costelloe collaborated with brands such as Wedgwood and British Airways, and for the past two decades partnered with Dunnes Stores, bringing his designs to a wider audience through menswear, womenswear, and homeware collections BreakingNews.ie. Often compared to Ralph Lauren for his immaculate tailoring, he drew inspiration from Irish fabrics like tweed and Aran knits, while maintaining a global outlook EVOKE.
He is survived by his wife Anne and their seven children. Tributes from across the fashion industry highlight his role as a mentor, innovator, and cultural ambassador for Irish design.
Outlook
Costelloe’s death leaves a profound void in the fashion world, but his legacy endures through the countless designers he inspired and the timeless collections he created. His work bridged Irish tradition and international fashion, ensuring his place among the greats of modern design.
Paul Costelloe, Fashion Designer By Costelloe1979 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62335497
