LONDON – Paul Costelloe , Princess Diana’s personal designer who was known for his strong-shouldered looks and luscious fabrics, has died at age 80.

On Saturday, his family issued a statement to media saying they were “deeply saddened” to announce his death following a short illness. “He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London,” the statement said.

Costelloe was part of the wave of Irish designers, including Louise Kennedy , that landed in London in the Eighties, becoming part of the flourishing fashion scene. They would pave the way for names such as John Rocha , Lainey Keogh and Orla Kiely .

A tall, somewhat gangly Irishman, Costelloe had the native charm of his countrymen with a constant glint in his eye, as if he could not wait to

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