Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe has died in London at the age of 80.
Costelloe became one of the best-known names in British and Irish fashion and was the personal designer to the late Diana, the Princess of Wales.
His family issued a statement on Saturday saying they were deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness. They added: He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London.
Born in Dublin, Costelloe's father ran a successful raincoat company, setting the stage for his future in fashion. After studying at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design, he honed his skills in Paris before establishing his own label in 1979 with the Paul Costelloe Collections.
Costelloe's designs, often showcasing traditional Irish textiles, garnered attention at renowned fashion events including London Fashion Week, Milan, and New York. His significant collaboration with Diana, Princess of Wales, began in 1983 and continued until her untimely death in 1997. He was known for championing Irish fabrics like linen and tweed.
This year, he closed the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week, a testament to his enduring influence and contribution to the fashion industry.
However, Costelloe faced criticism in 1998 for remarks suggesting that Irish women lacked style. Nevertheless, he later acknowledged the evolution of Irish fashion in a recent interview.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed his sorrow, stating, An icon of design, Paul elevated Irish fashion to the global stage. Tánaiste Simon Harris praised Costelloe's remarkable life and lasting impact on modern Irish fashion.
Costelloe leaves behind a legacy that will continue to shape the future of fashion in Ireland and beyond.
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