Irish designer Paul Costelloe, who presented collections at London Fashion Week for over 35 years, has died aged 80.
One of the most established and best known names in Irish and British fashion, he died last night in London.
In a statement, his family said they are "deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness".
It went on: "He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London."
His family asked for privacy at this time.
Paul Costelloe's career began at Grafton Academy of Fashion Design, before he moved to the fashion capitals of Milan, Paris and New York and later, London.
He set up his own label in 1979, Paul Costelloe Collections.
In 1983 he was appointed personal designer to Diana, the Princess of Wales, a collaboration which continued until her death in 1997.
Paul Costelloe was no stranger to controversy; in 1998 he criticised Irish women when he said they lacked style.
"Irish women have difficulty with style because it's not in their inner nature... like the Italians," he said.
But speaking to RTÉ this year, he said his views had changed and that he felt Ireland was now more European than years ago.
"We have probably become nearly too confident now," he told the Insights with Sean O'Rourke podcast in April this year.
He added that "Irish women are very cool, and they've got a good sense of humour which I hope they never lose".
His first London Fashion Week was in 1984, and 40 years later he described his sense of design as "still curious".
"I'm still looking at options and different ways of approaching the industry, and I still think I'm a fairly good designer… and luckily, it comes from me. I have a system that I still do," he said.
Paul Costelloe consistently gave a nod to his Irish heritage, using traditional fabrics and textiles, with Irish Linen and tweed often key staples in his pieces.
For the past 20 years, he collaborated with Dunnes Stores on a highly successful line of fashion and homewear.
Paul Costelloe was the clothing designer for the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week in October.
