Paul Costelloe, the Dublin-born designer who became one of Ireland and Britain’s most recognizable fashion names and served as a personal couturier to Diana, Princess of Wales, has died in London at the age of 80 following a short illness. His family said he was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed away peacefully. Born in Dublin into a family connected to the clothing trade—his father ran a successful raincoat business—Costelloe trained at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design before continuing his studies at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris. He launched Paul Costelloe Collections in 1979 and went on to present collections on the international circuit, including London Fashion Week and shows in Paris, Milan and New York. In 1983 he was appointed personal designer to Diana, Princess of Wales, a collaboration that lasted until her death in 1997 and helped raise his international profile. Costelloe was known for incorporating traditional Irish materials such as linen and tweed into contemporary womenswear. He also worked with high-street retailer Dunnes Stores and was the closing designer at the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week earlier this October, underscoring his ongoing presence in Irish fashion right up to his final months. Costelloe’s career was not without controversy: in 1998 he drew criticism for remarks suggesting Irish women lacked an innate sense of style. In recent years he told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that he believed Ireland had become more European in outlook than it once was. Political leaders paid tribute to his contribution to Irish design. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was very saddened by the news and called Costelloe an icon who brought Irish fashion to a global stage. Tánaiste Simon Harris described him as having led a remarkable life, praising the talent, discipline and commitment to quality that built his successful business. Costelloe leaves behind a substantial body of work that influenced modern Irish fashion and remains part of his legacy. He will be remembered both for his craftsmanship and for helping to place Irish textiles on the international fashion map.
