Daniel Lightfoot’s grief-stricken daughter, Paris, opens up about his tragic suicide

The grieving daughter of acclaimed Queensland fashion designer Daniel Lightfoot has spoken publicly for the first time since his shock suicide, revealing how hard she fought to save her beloved “Dada”.

Paris and her father, Daniel Lightfoot, in 2010.

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The grieving daughter of acclaimed Queensland fashion designer Daniel Lightfoot has spoken publicly for the first time since his shock suicide, revealing her personal pain and how hard she fought to save her beloved “Dada”.

Paris Lightfoot, 26, agonises about her father’s death but believes she and her family could not have done more to stop the tragic events of Christmas Day 2022.

Mr Lightfoot, an outstanding creative with a wicked sense of humour, shaped the sophisticated dressing of Queenslanders from the 1980s into the 2010s and famously once dressed Liza Minnelli.

His death at age 58 stunned the fashion and business communities, which turned out in force to honour his life at a moving tribute service in Brisbane three weeks later.

The enigmatic Mr Lightfoot had battled depression and anxiety for a decade, following his studio being forced into liquidation after an ex-employee was convicted of fraud.

“He struggled ever since but last year was the worst,” his only child said.

Daniel, Paris, and Suzie Lightfoot

“I reached out so many times and it’s hard because you ask yourself, ‘what more could I have done?’ when someone is in so much pain.

“He went MIA (missing in action) and I couldn’t contact him. He would use multiple prepaid mobile phones and not respond to texts from family and friends.

“So many people tried to help but he pulled away – we did everything in our power but he wouldn’t even talk to his own family. I can’t be sure but I think it was the stigma (around mental illness); he just wouldn’t talk to anyone about it.”

Ms Lightfoot said she did not know where her father was living at the time of his death.

“I wonder if I’d been able to be with him on Christmas Day if it would have made a difference.”

The brave young woman is sharing her story in a bid to help others and promote the integral link between physical activity and mental wellness.

Ms Lightfoot, captain of Bond University’s Bull Sharks women’s AFL team, last year tossed in her lawyer career to open a gym with her partner Jackson Fisher.

She is helping organise a run on May 27 to support the charity Sana Days, started by Brock Day, who also lost his father to suicide.

Paris Lightfoot last year tossed in her lawyer career to open a gym with her partner Jackson Fisher. Picture by Luke Marsden.

“No-one should suffer in silence,” Ms Lightfoot said. “Feeling part of a community is so important. Dad was much better when he was fit and healthy, it helped manage his depression and anxiety and gave him purpose, so I really want to encourage other people to stay connected.”

She said before her father stopped communicating he would attend her AFL games, “put on a brave face, smile and crack jokes and say he was OK”.

“He probably didn’t want to burden me – he was my Dad, he was that figure, and I think he wanted to stay as my strong role model and the funny, outgoing person he was.

“We knew he was struggling, but not the extent.”

Ms Lightfoot said when she received a call early on Boxing Day from her aunt, Mr Lightfoot’s sister Ally, she knew “it wasn’t good”.

“Her voice was shaky and she asked if I was alone and I said I was with Mum and then she told me – it was a shock, heartbreak, devastation and all of those emotions,” she said.

“Following that, it’s just been up and down every day in terms of the denial and getting my head around it, realising what has happened and that he is not going to be here anymore.”

The Somerville House and Bond University graduate said she was deliberately keeping herself busy.

Daniel Lightfoot with one of his creations.

Suzie and Daniel Lightfoot in Paris on the night of their engagement.

She takes seven gym classes a day at her ACTV Strength Co in Ashmore, and trains two nights for Saturday AFL games.

“My gym and my footy have helped me stay on track and process my grief,” she said.

“He was the best dad – he always lit up a room, tried to make people laugh and saw the humour in everything – and now if I see others around me going through a tough time, I always try to be that person and do the same.

“It is ridiculously common for men to not want to share what they’re going through and this has to change.”

Ms Lightfoot said the aim of the ACTV Run for Resilience was to build a support network.

“Even if people don’t suffer mental health problems, chances are they know someone who does so it’s important to educate everyone,” she said.

Daniel Lightfoot was one of Australia’s most feted designers.

Known for his stylish “day dressing” and later standout corporate uniforms, he won 18 RAQ award trophies before being inducted into the hall of fame in 1992.

Paris with her dad in 2001.

Daniel and Suzie Lightfoot with baby Paris in 1997.

He and ex-wife Susie Lightfoot, a model turned personal brand and business coach, were considered a glamorous duo in the high fashion 1980s.

“Dan once made me a houndstooth jacket with such big shoulder pads that when we went to the races I had to turn sideways to move through the crowd,” Ms Lightfoot said, with fondness, this week.

The couple, who met as children at Eagle Junction State School, remained close after their marital split in 1998 when their daughter was one.

In 2013 Daniel Lightfoot Studios was forced into liquidation after an ex-employee was convicted of fraud and jailed.

Mr Lightfoot opened a boutique in the Brisbane Arcade a few years later but it was destroyed by a storm, and an attempted a return to the industry in mid-2020 was scuppered by Covid-19 lockdowns.

Ms Lightfoot said the setbacks were too much for her father.

“He couldn’t catch a break – I’ve felt hesitant to talk about it, but I hope by sharing my Dad’s and my experience I can help others.”

Register for ACTV’s Run for Resilience here.