Le ciel est bleu, les fleurs dévoilent leurs feuilles vert pâle avec une pointe de rose, et les jonquilles ont ouvert leurs clochettes jaunes.

“The sky is blue, the blossoms are peeping out through their pale green leaves with a hint of pink, and the daffodils have opened their yellow bells.” 

On 13th September, Paul Costelloe opened London Fashion Week with his Spring/Summer collection named “Le ciel est bleu”, evoking the ebbs and flows of spring, as it shyly whispers promises of the days getting longer with golden beams seeping through the cumulus clouds. However, Costelloe evokes these sentiments with a twist, embedding these sun-dazed desires with an essence of nostalgia via 1960s French chic. The echo of a French classic, the pristine white walls bouncing sunlight onto the onlookers, and five models perched on the steps set before the catwalk - the show had begun. 

The collection effortlessly encapsulated the essence of 1960s Paris, infused with a dash of 1980s flair, from its padded shoulders and bold silhouettes to its sleek tailoring, all elegantly intertwined with contemporary refinement through its masterful craftsmanship. Sumptuous Irish linens; soft cotton; silk jacquards; and radiant pastels - a testament to Costelloe’s unwavering devotion to elegant, timeless fashion, all while keeping Paris as the central focus of his showcase. Costelloe’s array of bags in soft watercolour shades, accompanied by iridescent, delicate jewellery designed by Angela Brady, added to the romantic essence of the show,  capturing the idyllic yet bittersweetness that Paris encapsulates, with its expectations of blossoming love stories that are not always fulfilled.

“Le ciel est bleu” also heralded the debut of Costelloe’s bridal collection at London Fashion Week. As models gracefully descended the catwalk to the timeless melody of “La Vie en Rose,” the audience was left in awe, witnessing such breathtaking beauty that it conjured the same emotion as a bride’s walk down the aisle

Once again, Costelloe has delivered a masterful showcase that not only celebrates his profound love for Paris but also pays homage to iconic eras of fashion - particularly the 1960s and 1980s - whose elegance and timelessness continue to endure, even amidst the ever-evolving tides of modernisation and reinvention in the fashion world.

Words By: Rebecca Jones
Images By: Fae Reid