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Getty ImagesIrish fashion designer Paul Costelloe has died in London at the age of 80.
Costelloe became one of the most recognizable figures in British and Irish fashion and was the personal stylist to the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
His family released a statement on Saturday saying they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costello after a short illness.”
They added: “He died peacefully in London surrounded by his wife and seven children.”
Getty ImagesHe was born in Dublin, where his father ran a successful raincoat company.
After studying at the Grafton School of Fashion Design, he moved to Paris and took courses at the Société des Haute Couture de Paris.
He founded his own label, Paul Costelloe Collections, in 1979 and has shown collections at London Fashion Week, as well as in Paris, Milan and New York.
Getty ImagesIn 1983 he was appointed personal stylist to Diana, Princess of Wales, a collaboration that continued until her death in 1997.
Costelloe often uses traditional Irish fabrics and textiles in his designs, including Irish linens and tweeds.
He collaborates with Dunnes Stores and was the closing designer for the first Irish Fashion Week in October this year.
Getty ImagesIn 1998, he was criticized for saying Irish women lacked style.
“Irish women have difficulty with fashion because it doesn’t suit their inner nature… just like Italians,” he said at the time
However, in an interview with Irish broadcaster RTÉ this year, he said he felt Ireland was more European than it had been a few years ago.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “very sad to learn of the death of Paul Costelloe”.
“As a design icon, Paul elevated Irish fashion to the global stage,” he said.
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris said Costello had “lived an extraordinary life”.
Harris added: “He has built a highly successful business through incredible talent, discipline and an unwavering commitment to quality.
“He left behind a body of work that shaped modern Irish fashion and will continue to shape it for years to come. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.”
