Fashion Week 2026 / PAUL COSTELLOE AW 2026
PAUL COSTELLOE
Our first show of the season began with structure.
With shoulders that did not apologise.
With tailoring that entered the room before the wearer did.
At Paul Costelloe, AW26 unfolded as a powerful alignment with our current theme Angelomania. Not the fragile angel, but the architectural one. The guardian. The figure defined by presence and proportion.
Under the direction of William Costelloe, the collection stood firmly in the house’s tailoring heritage while pushing it forward with sharpened clarity. Strong, sculpted shoulders carved out silhouettes that felt almost celestial in scale as well as protective yet elegant. There was discipline in the cut, confidence in the construction.
British and Scottish heritage codes ran through the collection like memory: Irish wools and Magee tweeds, earth-toned browns, creams, and cable knits grounding the show in craft and lineage. Yet nothing felt nostalgic. The proportions were bold. The layering precise. Corsetry met fluid silk and organza. Oversized collars framed the face like halos reimagined in wool.
A refined dialogue between structure and softness defined the rhythm. Wide pleated trousers introduced movement; full cashmere ribs and sculpted knitwear added dimension. Tonal dressing, blouses, ties, colour-on-colour the styling was reinforced with a sculptural clarity.
And then the jewellery.
In collaboration with PK Bijoux, statement pieces constructed from repurposed medals, chains, and buckles punctuated the tailoring with metallic weight. The bags echoed that impact with a bold impact, assured and uncompromising. Accessories here were not afterthoughts; they were punctuation marks.
The finale shifted into black and charcoal, sequined tuxedos, diamante button details, fluid jacquards catching the light with restraint rather than excess. A quiet crescendo.
More than a show, it felt like a declaration: of legacy, of transition, of pride.
For LUMEN, Angelomania is about power carried with grace. At Paul Costelloe, we saw exactly that.
Backstage footage by Debbie Bragg
PAUL COSTELLOE
AUTUMN/WINTER 2026
William Costelloe presents his first collection as Creative Director for
Paul Costelloe – a powerful statement rooted in tailoring and structure.
William explores modern tailoring through bold proportions and precise
construction. Strong, structured shoulders and sculpted silhouettes define
the collection with meticulous cuts and layered, luxurious looks that showcase
the DNA of the Paul Costelloe brand.
The show opens with tailoring crafted from 100% Irish wools and tweeds
by Magee Fabrics. Hand-crafted sculpted florals, formed from the same fabrics,
signal a fresh but familiar beginning for the house.
A refined dialogue between tailored and fluid fabrics runs throughout:
structured coats and corsetry are paired with silk and organza blouses, oversized collars sweep over the head, and wide pleated trousers introduce movement
and ease. Tonal dressing presented in blouses, ties and colour-on-colour styling,
enhances the sculptural tailoring. Knitwear plays a key role, with full cashmere rib and cable looks, large collars and sculpted shoulders creating strong yet
elegant silhouettes.
William’s colour palette remains concise and assured, moving from
earth-toned tweeds, creams, chocolate and tan browns into a striking finale
of black and charcoal. The closing looks introduce a new dimension of
the brand, with subtle sequined suits and tuxedos featuring
diamante button details, alongside fluid black
and silver jacquard dresses
The in-house print, designed by Paul and William Costelloe in three
colourways, marks their final collaboration before Paul’s passing.
An enduring tribute to their shared vision.
For the third season in a row, the Paul Costelloe house has collaborated with
jewellery designer PK Bijoux, whose sculptural, one-of-a-kind pieces
repurpose vintage elements such as medals, chains and buckles,
blurring the line between heritage and bold modern design.
“My father will always be my inspiration.
Creating beautiful clothes for all women to dream and wear with
pride and love. Thank you for all your support.”
William Costelloe