To celebrate 35 years on the London Fashion Week Catwalk, the Paul Costelloe Autumn/Winter 2021 Collection is a reflection on Paul’s early days as a young designer in Paris in the late 60’s and early 70’s. With a sense of athleticism and freedom, Costelloe tailoring is back, in sculptured outerwear, sharp suiting and softly constructed eveningwear.
Colours hit all the right Autumnal tones, with yellow ochre’s, cedar greens, burnt oranges and midnight blues presented in bold checks,
wool plaids and modern, geometric prints. In house designed prints by William Costelloe are presented in full body suits and stretch leggings.
As ever, Paul has sourced the finest fabrics from our great artisans in Europe, with tweeds from Austria, silk organzas from France, and luxe flannels from Italy. Paul Costelloe Bags and Belts are presented in bold, bright structures that add to this powerful statement.
“After a year of uncertainty, the Costelloe woman is bold, brave and optimistic”.
Paul Costelloe
Irish-American 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 untimely death. 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.
Today, Paul continues to lead development of all his collections from his studio in central London.
photos by Paul Costelloe