Paul Costelloe: Irish fashion designer dies at 80

Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe 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 of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

His family issued a statement 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 raincoat manufacturing company.

After studying at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design he moved to Paris where he took a course at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris.

He created his own label in 1979, Paul Costelloe Collections, and presented collections at London Fashion Week, as well as in Paris, Milan and New York.

In 1983 he was appointed personal designer to Diana, Princess of Wales, a collaboration that continued until her death in 1997.

Costelloe often used traditional Irish fabrics and textiles in his designs, including Irish linen and tweed.

He collaborated with Dunnes Stores and was the closing designer for the inaugural Irish Fashion Week in October this year.

He came under fire in 1998 when he said Irish women lacked style.

“Irish women have a hard time with style because it’s not in their inner nature… like Italian women,” she said at the time.

However, during an interview with Irish broadcaster RTÉ this year, he said he felt Ireland was more European than years ago.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said he was “very saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Costelloe.”

“A design icon, Paul elevated Irish fashion to the world stage,” he said.

Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris said Costelloe had “led an extraordinary life”.

Harris added: “He built a hugely successful business through incredible talent, discipline and an unwavering commitment to quality.

“He leaves behind a body of work that shaped modern Irish fashion and will continue to shape it for years to come. He will be greatly missed and warmly remembered.”