PAUL COSTELLOE: BY William Costelloe AW2026

SøEdited Team
SøEditor-in-Chief: Chris Saint Sims 
​SøFashion Director: Savannah Barthorpe

​For the new season, William Costelloe steps into his role as Creative Director of the Paul Costelloe label with a collection grounded firmly in tailoring. Structure becomes the central language. Shoulders are strong, silhouettes sculpted, and proportions gently extended, giving familiar forms a renewed sense of authority.

The opening looks establish this direction through textiles closely tied to the house’s heritage. Suits and coats are cut from Irish wools and tweeds produced by Magee Fabrics, their dense textures anchoring the collection in tradition. From the same fabrics, hand-crafted sculptural florals appear — a small but striking gesture that introduces the collection with both familiarity and change.

Throughout the collection, structure is balanced with moments of softness. Architectural coats and defined corsetry are paired with silk and organza blouses, their fluidity tempering the discipline of the tailoring. Oversized collars sweep across the shoulders, while wide pleated trousers introduce movement and ease. Tonal dressing — blouses paired with ties, colours layered carefully together — reinforces the sculptural quality of the silhouettes.

Knitwear plays an important role, with full cashmere rib and cable pieces featuring oversized collars and pronounced shoulders that echo the tailoring while offering a more relaxed interpretation of the same shapes.

The palette moves with quiet restraint, beginning in earthy tweeds, creams, chocolate and warm tan browns before deepening toward black and charcoal. In the closing looks, eveningwear introduces a subtle shift in texture: sequinned suits and tuxedos detailed with diamanté buttons, alongside fluid black and silver jacquard dresses that bring a sense of refinement to the collection.

One final detail carries particular resonance. An in-house print, developed together by Paul Costelloe and William Costelloe in three colourways, marks their last creative collaboration — a quiet tribute to a shared vision.

​Press: Trace Publicity  @tracepublicity
Photo Credit: Paul Costelloe @paulcostelloeofficial