There are moments in fashion that feel deeply poignant and this is one of them. Paul Costelloe, a name synonymous with elegance, craftsmanship and unwavering dedication to the art of dress, enters a new chapter as his son William Costelloe, is officially named creative director of the British and Irish fashion house.
Announced by the brand this week, William Costelloe succeeds his late father, who passed away peacefully in November 2025, surrounded by his wife and seven children. For more than 40 years, Paul Costelloe led his family-run, eponymous label with a rare blend of artistic integrity and commercial instinct, becoming one of the most enduring figures on the London Fashion Week calendar.
William’s appointment feels both natural and deeply earned. Having served as design director at the London-based house for the past seven years, he has worked side by side with his father, shaping the brand’s seasonal catwalk collections and developing ranges across womenswear, menswear, bridal, children’s occasion wear, homeware, bags and accessories with retail and licensing partners around the world. Together, they upheld the house’s core values: creativity, quality and craftsmanship principles Paul championed with almost reverential devotion.
Paul was, above all, a believer in effortless style and the artistry of the atelier. Texture, fine materials and impeccable cut were never optional extras; they were essential. Every garment was designed with the conviction that fashion should make people look and feel their very best. It is this philosophy that William now carries forward.
“My father taught me to see fashion through the eyes of an artist; to respect materials, the process, the people,” William said in a statement. “I am honoured to be continuing his legacy, and I approach this role with determination, gratitude, and excitement for what lies ahead for the Paul Costelloe brand.”
That artistic perspective is deeply rooted in William’s own background. He trained in womenswear design and textiles at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, before completing a fine art degree at Camberwell College of Art and a master’s at Chelsea College of Art in London. Known for his intuitive understanding of colour and material, his early career saw him working as a print and textile designer for Portuguese bedding manufacturer Piubelle and homeware producer Matceramica. He also spent time as a visual merchandiser at Milan’s La Rinascente — a store where his father, poignantly, also worked early in his career.
William’s first collection as creative director will officially open London Fashion Week on Thursday, February 19, continuing the house’s long-held tradition and marking a symbolic moment of renewal under his leadership. The brand confirmed its commitment to honouring Paul’s legacy, nurturing the unique bond between Irish and British fashion, and ensuring the collections remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence.
The announcement carries particular resonance for those of us who were lucky enough to know Paul personally. I first met him through the lovely Dwina Gibb, widow to the late Robin Gibb. I worked alongside him backstage at the Against Breast Cancer Show, held at the Gibbs’ home, The Prebendal in Thame and have covered a great many of his collections which I have always found to be one the highlights of London Fashion Week. Paul’s warmth, generosity and quiet humour were as memorable as his clothes.
An Irish-American couturier, Paul Costelloe played a defining role in shaping Princess Diana’s style throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and he always spoke with genuine affection about London Fashion Week, having first been invited to show there in 1984. It was a platform he cherished not for the spotlight, but for the craft.
While Paul will be profoundly missed, his legacy is very much alive. It lives on in the atelier, in the cut of a coat, in the confidence his designs give the wearer and now in the capable hands of William. We wish William and the entire Paul Costelloe team every success as they step into this new era, carrying forward a fashion legacy that has meant so much to so many.
by Kim Grahame
photo credit Ben Broomfield
photos courtesy @tracepublicity
