Paul Costelloe

Designer name: Paul Costelloe

Origin: Dublin, Ireland.

Career highlight: “Still waiting.”

Design background: Costelloe studied at La Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris. Before setting up his brand, he worked at Jaques Esterel in Paris, La Reniscente in Milan and Anne Fogarty in New York.

Design signatures: “Tailoring with oomph.”

How would you describe the Paul Costelloe woman? “Slim, trim and intelligent.”

Trademark piece: “A long coat that is cut for glamour and everyday.”

Three spring/summer 2012 inspirations: “I found a lot of inspiration for my SS12 collection in the movie Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, starring Bette Davis. The collection is innocent yet dangerous, with a neutral colour palette emphasising the 1970s Paris-inspired silhouettes.”

What’s next for your brand? “We aim to develop the Paul Costelloe brand for the new and exciting Chinese market.”

Who are your design heroes? “The English architect and designer Norman Foster, print and pattern designers Collier Campbell and the fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier.”

What’s your favourite cultural hotspot in the capital? “I find my daily cycle from home in Putney to the West End truly inspirational. London is full of culture.”

In five years’ time I will be… “I’m hoping to take the Paul Costelloe brand global, particularly in the Chinese and American markets.”