Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe has died. He was 80.
“In loving memory of Paul Costelloe, who died in London aged 80, surrounded by his wife and seven children,” a Saturday, November 22, statement shared via his eponymous brand’s Instagram read. “Paul has always been so grateful for the support you have all shown over his more than 40 years at the forefront of fashion.”
The statement concluded, “Our deepest thanks for the outpouring of love and tributes as we go through this difficult time.”
A cause of death has not been publicly shared.
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In addition to running his own fashion label, Costelloe served as Princess Diana’s personal designer ahead of her death. (Diana was tragically killed in an August 1997 car crash).
“[She was] so genteel, so feminine, so warm, so humorous,” Costelloe recalled of the late princess during a 2021 appearance on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs radio show, remembering how she looked in one of his gowns for a Hyde Park concert. “She just looked so happy and she just did me so proud and I’m so grateful to have that image of her and I’m nearly shedding a tear at this moment, because it was such a special time and I still cherish every moment.”
Costelloe initially met Diana after her ladies in waiting came across his designs at a Windsor-based boutique in the early 1980s.
“The next thing I knew, I was in a cab to Kensington Palace with 20 garment bags. I remember [Diana] stood on the stairs waiting to welcome me and we went into the drawing room and we started trying on garments,” Costelloe told Vogue Business in 2024. “It worked really well. She was a perfect size 10 and a pleasure to work with. I remember looking out at Hyde Park and feeling like pinching myself.”
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Upon Costelloe’s death, several devoted fans offered their condolences via social media comments.
“I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. What a legend of a human,” singer Imelda May wrote on Saturday. “Paul was a warm-hearted, charismatic, talented, witty, clever, proud Irishman. He’ll be greatly missed. I send huge love to all of you. You’re the loveliest family.”
Modeling agent Orla Diffily added, “Truly one of Ireland’s greatest designers. I had the pleasure of meeting him over the years and attending some of his LFW shows.”
Fellow designer Don O’Neill also shared a tribute to Costelloe.
“My heart breaks for you all at @paulcostelloeofficial, for Paul’s beloved wife Anne, their family and his many many friends and colleagues,” O’Neill, 59, wrote via Instagram comment. “Paul was a kind, gentle, generous, fun-loving, super-talented man. May he rest in peace.”
Costelloe launched his womenswear line in 1978, going on to present new collections at London Fashion Week for 40 years. He often worked with on brand alongside his wife and their children.
“My ambition is to step back from fashion eventually [and] to hire an old car and drive around France and paint,” he mused to Vogue last year of potential retirement plans. “Everybody else is welcome to continue the company, and there’s plenty of people who would — but that’s not tomorrow. Maybe in 10 years time.”
