Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe has died in London aged 80.
Costelloe became one of the best-known names in British and Irish fashion and was 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.
He was born in Dublin where his father ran a successful company making raincoats.
After studying at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design, he moved to Paris and took a course at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.
In 1979, he established his label, Paul Costelloe Collections, showcasing his work at London Fashion Week as well as in key cities like Paris, Milan, and New York.
His collaboration with Princess Diana began in 1983 and lasted until her untimely death in 1997. He was known for incorporating traditional Irish fabrics like linen and tweed into his designs.
This year's inaugural Ireland Fashion Week featured Costelloe as the closing designer, affirming his enduring influence in fashion.
In a reflection of his impact, Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed deep sadness over Costelloe’s passing, calling him an icon of design who elevated Irish fashion globally. Tánaiste Simon Harris added that Costelloe's commitment to quality and talent shaped modern Irish fashion.
