London Fashion Week SS24 Highlights: Paul Costelloe is Riviera ready

As the bustling crown of the best in British fashion and influencers galore entered the South East London architectural marvel, Lindley Hall, they were met with a classically Paul Costelloe scene: a grand back drop and a booming stereo.

Louis Prima’s Buona Sera, along with a sea of pastel-clad models, instantly transported the crowd to Italy’s Ferrara.

Paul Costelloe commented: "We open on a tranquil afternoon in Ferrara, Italy. The beautiful gardens of the home of the Finzi-Contini family are lush and heavy with blossom, the sound of gentle sport and laughter echoes throughout."

This season, the designer traded in highland-inspired woollen suits and a grunge aesthetic for silk printed frocks and lightweight tailoring.

Paul Costelloe - renowned for fully immersing his audience in his destination of inspiration – introduced the theme of the Spring/ Summer 2024 catwalk collection with a flock of models on the runway suited up in tennis-worthy attire with dainty rackets to match.

When the Costelloe woman is ready to change into something more evening appropriate, she has a vast selection of frothy gowns and lace-adorned mini dresses to choose from. This was followed by an endless array of suits, from oversized pinstriped numbers to cargo-style two pieces. Harmonising the varying aesthetics, the designer sent a Chanel-esq tweed two piece down the runway.

Further representing the dichotomy of fashion, and his customer, Costelloe switched things up towards the end of the show with a finale of silk printed gowns, designed to replicate the blue and white hues of powdered Italian skies. Each look was completed with buttery leather Pau Costello x Pebble of London bags and Bláithín Ennis lace work and jewels.

If the summer holiday message wasn’t already apparent, this was confirmed when a model was sent down the runway in a silk gown accompanied by a tourist-ready backpack slung over her shoulders. If that wasn’t enough, Cliff Richard’s Summer Holiday tune sealed the deal.