Paul Costelloe, the beloved fashion designer who shaped many of Princess Diana’s most memorable looks, has died at the age of 80 after a brief illness, according to The Telegraph.
Costelloe first met Princess Diana in 1983 when one of his designs caught the eye of one of her ladies-in-waiting. He worked closely with the Princess for 14 years until her death in 1997. During this time, he created several iconic ensembles that became part of her legendary style.
One of Costelloe’s designs, a yellow-and-white dress with broad shoulders, was famously worn by Princess Diana during her 1988 visit to Australia, where she posed with a group of lifeguards. Another, a midnight-blue velvet suit, was worn during a rainy 1991 Hyde Park concert when Diana met Luciano Pavarotti. A chiffon skirt he designed caused a stir when it appeared sheer under backlighting.
In 2021, Costelloe described Diana as “so genteel, so feminine, so warm, so humorous” during an appearance on BBC Radio’s Desert Island Discs. He recalled his first meeting with her, thinking, “God, this is it, Paul, you have made it.”
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Costelloe began his career in Paris at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. He later worked as an assistant to Jacques Esterel before moving to Italy to collaborate with Marks & Spencer. After his time in Italy, he relocated to the United States and eventually launched his own label, Paul Costelloe Collections.
Costelloe remained active in fashion until his passing. His company released a statement saying, “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.”
The label’s Instagram page also noted Costelloe’s gratitude for the support he received over more than 40 years at the forefront of fashion.
Paul Costelloe’s work left a lasting legacy, not only through his collaborations with Princess Diana but also through his contributions to international fashion over four decades.