Gowns from Chanel Jaymes Bridal to be sold to raise funds for murdered woman’s orphaned daughter
About 50 wedding dresses will be up for sale to raise funds for the daughter of Krystel Paul, who was killed at her family home by her husband, who also killed himself.
Cairns
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About 50 wedding dresses will be up for sale to raise funds for the daughter of Krystel Paul, who was killed at her family home by her husband, who also killed himself.
The dresses are the samples and “try-on” floor stock from Chanel Jaymes Bridal, the boutique Krystel opened six years ago in Village Lane in Cairns City.
All proceeds will go towards the care and support of Krystel’s nine-year-old daughter, with the family saying the designer dresses will be discounted, but they also welcomed charitable offers on all dresses, most of which retail around the $3000 price range.
Krystel was killed n Mount Sheridan on May 27 by her husband and father of their daughter, James Paul, before he turned the gun on himself.
Long-time family friend Catherine Lowe flew to Cairns from the Sunshine Coast to help the family “pause” the business after Krystel’s death, honouring her memory by making sure brides’ existing orders were fulfilled and the store was wound up.
She said the support from the community had been overwhelming, from brides who put their own needs to the side, to a seamstress and friend of Krystel who had taken on the task of delivering pre-ordered dresses to brides, steamed and ready to wear as Krystel would have, rather than boxed and folded.
“Krystel offered her brides such a beautiful experience,” Ms Lowe said.
“One girl picked up her dress and she was living away from all her family and had started to have a bit of a panic attack when she tried on the dress and Krystel had helped her.
“It’s been very heartwarming and hard. Every dress has a story and so much emotion.
“Everyone was saying, ‘She just made me feel so special’, which is just gorgeous. Her heart and soul is in this. It’s her passion and she had such attention to detail in the way she presented herself and her business and her dresses.”
About 50 dresses and a small collection of accessories will be for sale on Saturday, June 21, including 14 little white dresses of the Literally label designed by Krystel herself.
The little white dresses were a niche line that Krystel championed, growing in popularity and favoured by brides who wanted something more practical and beautiful for the party after the wedding itself.
Most dresses on the rack are sizes 6 to 10, but there are also size 12 options.
The designers featured in floor stock include Cizzy Bridal, Willow and Winter, Zavana Bridal, Watters Designs, Miss Scarlett, Erin Clare Bridal, Love You More and Riva Gown.
Krystal’s brother Adam Bolt said the family was raising funds for Krystel’s daughter through the sale, but they were pausing the business, not closing it down.
He said he would maintain the business name, story and the online architecture in case Krystel’s daughter wanted to “reboot” the business when she became older.
Chanel Jaymes Bridal will be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, June 21, which would have been the sixth anniversary of the store’s launch.
People wanting to make a donation towards the care of Krystel’s daughter can do so via GoFundMe also: GoFundMe - Krystel Victoria Paul
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
13YARN: 13 92 76
More information is also available from the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal.
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Originally published as Gowns from Chanel Jaymes Bridal to be sold to raise funds for murdered woman’s orphaned daughter
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