Paul Costelloe: Princess Diana's Personal Designer Dies Aged 80

Princess Diana's former personal designer Paul Costelloe has died aged 80 following a short illness, his label has confirmed.

Fashion titan and Irishman Paul Costelloe was behind some of the former Princess of Wales's most famous looks, and continued to lead his own label right up until his death. 

A statement from his brand, which carries his name, said he died surrounded by his family in London on Friday.

 

It read: 'We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness.

'He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London.

'We kindly ask that you respect the privacy of the family during this time.'

Born in Dublin in 1945, Paul Costelloe studied fashion at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design before moving to Paris and beginning his career at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris.

He became design assistant to designer Jacques Esterel, before later moving to Milan to support Marks and Spencer in their drive to enter the Italian market.

 

Marks And Spencer's move into Italy was unsuccessful, but the Irish-American remained in Milan as designer for the luxury department store La Rinascente, before moving to the US, where he was appointed as designer to Anne Fogarty in New York.

He established his own label in 1979, Paul Costelloe Collections, and was soon exhibiting at fashion weeks around the world including London, Paris, Milan and New York.

In 1983, he was appointed personal designer to Diana, Princess of Wales, and continued to collaborate with her until her death in 1997.

He mostly dressed Diana for formal occasions, but one of his most memorable outfits for the late princess was a chiffon skirt that became slightly see-through when backlit, that caused some controversy.

Other outfits he designed for her included a custom-made pink suit and a pink and white floral patterned dress she took to Nigeria in 1990.

In a 2020 interview Costelloe, who lived in London for the last 20 years of his life, described Diana as 'lovely to dress' and 'a very honest, sincere person'. 

He added: 'She was family orientated and she had a sense of humour – she liked to smile.' 

The pair first met when Princess Diana visited his shop in Windsor in 1982. He also designed for Princess Anne and Zara Tindall.

His partnership with the princess made him one of the most famous designers of his day, enabling him to dress countless other famous figures and produce Richard Nixon's daughter's wedding dress, the Irish Independent reports.

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute to Costelloe on Saturday, writing on social media: 'Very saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Costelloe. An icon of design, Paul elevated Irish fashion to the global stage. Deepest sympathies to his wife Anne and their family.'

His deputy, Tanaiste Simon Harris, also paid tribute to Costelloe, saying he was 'saddened' by his death.

He added: 'Paul led a remarkable life as a leading figure in Irish, UK and international fashion and business for decades. He built a hugely successful business through incredible talent, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

'His eponymous fashion house has built an extraordinary legacy that will live on. His was and is a quite remarkable Irish success story. His collaborations, including his memorable work with Princess Diana and long relationship with Dunnes Stores, reflected not just his skill but his abiding pride in his Irish roots which often inspired his craftsmanship. 

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

'I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, his children, his wider family, friends and all those whom he was close to.'

Costelloe's label was first invited to display its work at London Fashion Week in 1984 and has been present at the annual spectacle ever since. 

His brand continues to this day selling collections including womenswear, menswear, bags and accessories, homeware, jewellery, eyewear and children's occasionwear.

Costelloe also developed a successful business in developing corporate wear concepts for major multi-nationals and sports teams including British Airways, Delta Airlines and the Irish Olympic Team.

At this year's London Fashion Week, his brand presented a show which was the epitome of his work over the past four decades: An ode to the old heritage, bold and vibrant streets of Rodeo Drive in 1960s Beverly Hills, with the collection titled Boulevard Of Dreams.

He continued to lead the design team for his company until his death.

In recent years he had collaborated with Dunnes Stores in Ireland and was the closing designer at Ireland's inaugural Fashion Week just last month. 

Costelloe married his wife Anne Cooper in 1979 and they had seven children: Jessica, William, Robert, Gavin, Justin, Paul-Emmet and Nicholas. 

In 2010, Costelloe was one of six contemporary Irish fashion designers featured on a set of Irish postage stamps issued by An Post, alongside Louise Kennedy, Lainey Keogh, John Rocha, Philip Treacy and Orla Kiely.

Along with Kennedy, he was a celebrity guest judge for the 2013 final of RTE Television's Craft Master show.