PAUL COSTELLOE, the former personal fashion designer to Diana, Princess of Wales, has died at the age of 80.
A statement from his family revealed the Irishman passed away on Friday following a short illness.
“He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London,” it added.
Born in Dublin in 1945, Costelloe studied at the city’s Grafton Academy of Fashion Design.
He first worked at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris before going on to ply his trade in Milan and New York.
He set up his own label, Paul Costelloe Collections, in 1979.
In 1983, Costelloe was appointed as the personal designer to Princess Diana, with the successful collaboration continuing until her death in 1997.
He was first invited to show at London Fashion Week in 1984 and became a staple of the trade show over the following decades.
Last month, he was the closing designer for the inaugural Irish Fashion Week.
For the past two decades, Costelloe worked with Irish retailer Dunnes Stores and developed corporate wear for organisations including British Airways, Delta Airlines and the Irish Olympic Team.
‘Abiding pride in his Irish roots’
In a statement, Tánaiste Simon Harris described Costelloe’s career as ‘a quite remarkable Irish success story’.
“I am saddened to learn today of the passing of Paul Costelloe, the renowned Irish fashion designer,” he said.
“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.
Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a suit designed by Costelloe during a visit to Canada in 1991 (Image: Anwar Hussein / Getty Images)“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.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin commented: “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.”