William Costelloe appointed Creative Director at Paul Costelloe

William Costelloe, son of the late designer Paul Costelloe, has been appointed Creative Director of the Paul Costelloe brand, following his father’s passing late last year.

The appointment marks a defining moment for the British-Irish fashion house, which for more than 40 years was synonymous with its founder. Paul Costelloe was "the only designer to have shown at every London Fashion Week since its inception" and his show was a constant fixture as the event’s opener. He presented his final collection in September 2025 - an ode to the bold, vibrant streets of 1960s Beverly Hills, fittingly titled Boulevard of Dreams.

Costelloe’s family announced his death last November, saying they were "deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness". He died in London surrounded by his wife and seven children.

William now steps into the Creative Director role having worked closely alongside his father for much of his career. For the past seven years, he served as Design Director at Paul Costelloe, playing a central role in developing the brand’s landmark catwalk collections and overseeing its extensive global portfolio. Alongside womenswear and menswear ready-to-wear, this spans bags and accessories, homeware, bridal, children’s occasionwear, jewellery and eyewear.

William said: "My father taught me to see fashion through the eyes of an artist; to respect materials, the process, the people. 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."

Paul Costelloe was widely regarded as a true couturier, rooted in beautiful construction and fabric, with a particular passion for Italian textiles. Trained at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, he spent the 1960s immersed in the world of Pierre Cardin and Emmanuel Ungaro - an influence that shaped his work for decades. While contemporaries such as Vivienne Westwood and Mary Quant embodied London’s rebellious spirit, Costelloe remained committed to classic couture silhouettes and femininity.

He once said: "I just like dressing women. I don’t want to make them look ugly. I want them to look feminine and attractive."

William is known for his expertise in colour and material, he trained in womenswear design and textiles at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art Painting from Camberwell College of Art, as well as a Master’s degree from Chelsea College of Art in London.

Prior to joining the family business, he worked as a print and textile designer for Portuguese bedding manufacturer Piubelle and homeware producer Matceramica, and as a visual merchandiser and stylist at Milan department store La Rinascente - the same store where Paul Costelloe worked early in his own career.

William’s first collection as Creative Director will be the Paul Costelloe Autumn Winter 2026 collection, which is set to officially open London Fashion Week on 19 February 2026 - continuing the house’s long-standing tradition at the heart of the schedule.