Read on FashionNetwork.comPaul Costelloe, Princess Diana's Personal Designer, Dies at 80
Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe, who served as Princess Diana's personal designer and became a fixture at London Fashion Week for four decades, has died at age 80. Costelloe passed away peacefully in London surrounded by his family following a short illness. The designer was appointed as Diana's personal designer in 1983 and their collaboration continued until her tragic death in 1997, establishing him as a prominent figure in both Irish and international fashion.
The fashion world has lost one of its most enduring figures with the passing of Irish designer Paul Costelloe at age 80. Costelloe, best known as Princess Diana's personal designer and a mainstay of London Fashion Week for four decades, died peacefully surrounded by his wife and seven children in London following a short illness, according to a family statement released on Saturday.
A Remarkable Fashion Career
Paul Costelloe's journey in fashion began in his native Dublin, where he received his initial training before moving to Paris to study at the prestigious Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. His international education continued in Milan, where he served as designer for the luxury department store La Rinascente, further honing his skills in another of the world's fashion capitals.
After spending time in New York establishing his own label, Costelloe settled in London, where his career would reach its pinnacle. It was here that he founded Paul Costelloe Collections and began the partnership that would define his legacy.
Royal Connection with Princess Diana
In 1983, just after establishing his own label, Costelloe received the appointment that would cement his place in fashion history: personal designer to Princess Diana. Their collaboration spanned 14 years, continuing until Diana's tragic death in a Paris car crash in 1997.
This royal association elevated Costelloe's profile significantly, though his talent and business acumen ensured his longevity in the competitive fashion industry long after Diana's passing.
London Fashion Week Legacy
Costelloe's relationship with London Fashion Week began in its inaugural year of 1984, when he was invited to show his collections on the city's premier catwalk. Remarkably, he maintained this presence for four consecutive decades, presenting his latest spring-summer creations as recently as September of this year.
From his central London studio, Costelloe led the development of all his collections, which eventually expanded to include womenswear, menswear, bags, homeware, and jewellery, demonstrating his versatility and business savvy.
Industry Recognition and Legacy
Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris paid tribute to Costelloe, describing him as "a leading figure in Irish, UK and international fashion and business for decades." Harris noted that Costelloe "built a hugely successful business through incredible talent, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to quality," calling his life "a quite remarkable Irish success story."
Costelloe's death marks the end of an era in fashion, particularly for those who remember the glamour of Princess Diana's style and the early days of London Fashion Week. His four-decade presence at the event made him one of the most consistent and respected designers in British fashion history.
As the industry mourns his passing, Costelloe's legacy lives on through his extensive body of work and the successful fashion business he built through talent, discipline, and uncompromising commitment to quality that spanned international borders and decades of changing fashion trends.
