The designer, who worked with Princess Diana and became a mainstay at London Fashion Week, has died following a short illness.
Paul Costelloe at London Fashion Week
Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe, known for working with the late Princess Diana and for his long association with London Fashion Week, has died at the age of 80.
His family confirmed his death on Saturday, November 22, 2025, saying he died peacefully in London following a short illness, surrounded by his wife and seven children.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness,” the family said.
Costelloe was a prominent figure in Irish fashion and consistently presented his collections on the opening day of London Fashion Week from its early years.
Born in Dublin in 1945, he trained as a design assistant at French fashion houses in Paris before joining Marks & Spencer in Milan.
In 1983, Costelloe became Princess Diana’s personal stylist, a role he continued until her death in 1997.
Speaking about his relationship with the late princess, Costelloe told RTÉ earlier in 2025: “She was very human, she didn’t act like a princess.”
Costelloe became known for combining tailored designs with romantic elements, frequently using tweeds, florals and bold colours in his collections.
He remained active in fashion in his later years, including presenting his 1960s-inspired Spring/Summer collection, “We Stroll Down Rodeo Drive”, at London Fashion Week.
His family’s fashion business continues under his son, William Costelloe, who serves as design director.
Costelloe also spoke about eventually stepping away from fashion. In a 2024 interview with Vogue, he said his ambition was to eventually “hire an old car and drive around France and paint.”
His career spanned several decades and helped establish his name in both Irish and international fashion.
Source: AFP / RTÉ / Vogue