Paul Costelloe
Paul Costelloe (born 23 June 1945) is an Irish designer and artist. Life and career. Irish designer Paul Costelloe is one of the most established names in British and Irish fashion. Since the establishment of the fashion house under his own name, this family owned and run business has been a leader in the use of hand-crafted, luxurious fabrics combined with cutting edge design, innovation and creativity. Based at his design studio in the heart of London's fashion district, Paul works with renowned technicians, suppliers and manufacturers to deliver collections of the highest quality, texture and  comfort. These include his sampling unit in central London as well as working with a family owned manufacturing unit in the Ancona region of central Italy. Paul began his path in the fashion industry at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris but found he learnt more just by living in Paris during the era of Ungardo and Cardin. He was then appointed Design Assistant to Jacques Esterel before moving to Milan to support Marks & Spencer in their drive to enter the Italian market. Although this drive was not successful, Paul stayed on in Milan as designer for  the luxury department store La Rinascente. A move to the USA was followed by his appointment as designer to Anne Fogarty in New York after which Paul established his own label, Paul Costelloe Collections. In 1983 Paul was appointed as the personal designer to Diana, the Princess of Wales; a collaboration that flourished until her death in 1997. With the fast growing success of the brand, Paul was invited to show at London Fashion Week in 1984. His upcoming Spring/Summer 2020 collection will celebrate the designer's 35th year on the LFW catwalk. The Paul Costelloe name today encompasses  a wide range of collections including womenswear, menswear, bags and accessories, homeware, jewellery, eyewear and children's occasionwear. He has also developed a highly successful business in developing corporate wear concepts for major multi-nationals and sports teams including British Airways, Delta Airlines and the Irish Olympic Team. In popular culture. In 2010, Costelloe was one of six contemporary and internationally renowned Irish fashion designers featured on a set of Irish postage stamps issued by An Post. The other designers featured were Louise Kennedy, Lainey Keogh, John Rocha, Philip Treacy and Orla Kiely. Along with Kennedy, he was a celebrity  guest judge for the 2013 final of RTÉ Television's "Craft Master" show.