Renowned fashion designer Paul Costelloe, who was famously known as the personal designer for Princess Diana, has passed away at the age of 80, as confirmed by his fashion label. The statement released by his brand revealed that Costelloe died in London, surrounded by his family after a brief illness. The brand expressed deep sorrow over his passing and requested privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Born in Dublin in 1945, Costelloe kickstarted his career at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris before working as a design assistant for Jacques Esterel. His journey led him to Milan where he supported Marks and Spencer’s venture into the Italian market. Despite the unsuccessful Italian expansion, Costelloe remained in Milan as a designer for La Rinascente, a prestigious department store. He later ventured to the US, working as a designer for Anne Fogarty in New York before establishing his own label, Paul Costelloe Collections.
In 1983, Costelloe became Princess Diana’s personal designer, crafting elegant outfits for her until her tragic demise in 1997. While he primarily designed formal attire for the princess, one of his notable creations was a chiffon skirt that garnered attention for its semi-transparency under certain lighting conditions.
Costelloe’s brand, which continues to thrive, offers a wide range of collections including womenswear, menswear, accessories, homeware, jewelry, eyewear, and children’s occasion wear. In addition to his success in the fashion industry, Costelloe also made a mark by developing corporate wear concepts for prominent organizations and sports teams like British Airways, Delta Airlines, and the Irish Olympic Team.
His legacy was honored at this year’s London Fashion Week with a show showcasing his four-decade-long influence, paying tribute to the classic glamour of 1960s Beverly Hills in a collection titled Boulevard Of Dreams. He remained actively involved in leading his design team until his passing.
In recognition of his contribution to Irish fashion, Costelloe was featured on a set of Irish postage stamps in 2010 alongside other distinguished designers. He also served as a celebrity guest judge on RTE Television’s Craft Master show in 2013, alongside fellow designer Louise Kennedy.