Paul Costelloe, the Irish-American designer who dressed the late Princess Diana and became a stalwart of the London fashion scene, has died, his company confirmed. He was 80.
In addition to creating evening wear and other designs for Diana, Costelloe established a fashion house that celebrated luxurious fabrics and creativity. He worked in central London and with a family-owned manufacturing site in the Ancona region of central Italy.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness,’’ his label said in a statement on Saturday. “He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London.”
Born in Dublin in 1945, Costelloe was the son of a tailor who made raincoats at a factory in the city’s Rathmines district. He got his own start in the industry at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture fashion school in Paris, but company lore suggests he learned as much by soaking up the era of designers Emanuel Ungaro and Pierre Cardin as he did in the classroom.
Costelloe began his career as an assistant to designer Jacques Esterel and later moved to Milan to work for British retailer Marks & Spencer when it tried to crack the Italian market. Though that effort was unsuccessful, he stayed in Milan to work for the luxury department store La Rinascente.
Costelloe later moved to the United States, where he worked as a designer for the Anne Fogarty label.
He went on to establish his own firm, and the house now features a broad range, including womenswear, menswear, bags and accessories.
In 1983, Costelloe was appointed personal designer to Princess Diana — an association that continued until her death in 1997.
Costelloe’s royal connection began when one of Diana's ladies-in-waiting noticed his designs and arranged a meeting, the designer told Irish broadcaster RTE earlier this year.
“I looked out at Hyde Park and I said: 'God, this is it, Paul, you have made it!’” Costelloe recalled.
FILE - Irish designer Paul Costelloe at London Fashion Week in London, Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Jonathan Short, File)
FILE - Designer Paul Costelloe reacts to the audience after his Autumn/Winter 2010 collection at London Fashion Week in London, Friday, Feb. 19, 2010.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
FILE - Irish designer Paul Costelloe is applauded by models after his show during London Fashion Week, in London, Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
ROME (AP) — Three-time champion Iga Swiatek beat Jessica Pegula of the United States in straight sets on Wednesday to advance to the Italian Open semifinals.
The fourth-ranked Swiatek needed just 67 minutes to sweep aside No. 5 Pegula 6-1, 6-2.
Swiatek’s impressive form bodes well for the upcoming French Open, which she has won four times.
“I’m happy that I can spend some time on the court and play really solid matches against the best girls,” Swiatek said. "For sure it’s giving me confidence because you can practice as much as possible, but if you don’t test it out on the court, play matches and face pressure or something, you’re going to still feel the little bit rusty when it comes.
“Now I’m happy I played couple matches. I’ll play hopefully two more here.”
Swiatek will next face either Elena Rybakina or Elina Svitolina, who are both also former Rome champions.
In the men’s quarterfinals, two impressive sets from Casper Ruud saw the Norwegian overcome 13th-ranked Karen Khachanov 6-1, 1-6, 6-2.
The match was suspended for more than two hours at the start of the second set because of rain and Khachanov seemed to have dealt better with the enforced break.
However, the 23rd-ranked Ruud broke Khachanov's serve twice at the start of the third set and then again to take the match on the second of three match points.
Ruud will face either 19-year-old Rafael Jodar of Spain or Italian player Luciano Darderi in the semifinals.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Spectators shelter from the rain during the quarter-final match between Karen Khachanov, of Russia, and Casper Ruud, of Norway, at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Casper Ruud, of Norway, returns the ball to Karen Khachanov, of Russia, during their quarter-final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, waits for start of the quarter-final match against Iga Swiatek, of Poland, at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Iga Swiatek, of Poland, returns the ball to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during their quarter-final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Jessica Pegula, of the United States, returns the ball to Iga Swiatek, of Poland, during their quarter-final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Iga Swiatek, of Poland, celebrates after wining a point during the quarter-final match against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
