Finally - dresses and cupcakes together at last! Such is the promise of the new boutique Champagne & Cupcakes near Queen and Dovercourt in the space that used to be the long-shuttered Mood in Wood.
Toronto designer Caroline Lim just opened the store last Saturday and already dresses have been flying off the shelf to those looking for something to wear to grad, the prom or yet another wedding.
When I first saw the name stenciled on the front glass window I thought that this could be the answer to my shopping nightmares - you know, the ones where my better half and I trudge from store to store in search of the perfect dress. Here, she could try on dresses to her heart's content. And what would I do? Eat cupcakes of course.
As it turns out, the cupcake reference here is more of a metaphor than a smorgasborg. The idea behind the name is to evoke a sense of affordable luxury. Like cupcakes. Dresses here range from $79-$200 and custom outfits can also be arranged for prices starting at $250.
All dresses are designed in house by Lim in her basement studio. Lingerie and jewellery are also available, all sourced from South Korea.
What about the cupcakes? Looks can be deceiving. In the middle of the store is a big plate of cupcakes. Green ones. Purple ones. Oranges ones. Some with chocolate sprinkles. But sadly, none of the edible variety. All of the cupcakes are courtesy of Vancouver's Open Sundaes. It's all just a fun way to package bubble bath and Champagne & Cupcakes is the first store in Toronto to carry the line.
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Does anyone know the price range for the dresses and lingerie?
Someone should sue for false advertising.
Hey Krystyn,
Thanks for asking....the dresses are $79-$200 and the lingere is $49 per bra and panty set. Hope to see you soon!
really tacky stuff
Looks adorable, I can't wait to check the store out!
Now I just feel sad when I walk past, and know that there aren't cupcakes inside...
I thought they had some great designs! Great fit to the body and amazing prices for the quality.
for all those ppl who are making a big deal about the cupcakes not being there....maybe she's doing u cows a favor. lol! on a serious note tho.....the store is amazing. keep the good work. i'll be sure that the girls will drop by and pick up a few pieces soon!
Dresses that are pretty and affordable? You don't say. They look adorable, unlike all the "trendy" (*cough*--ugly--*cough*) clothes in "popular" stores. I will be sure to check this store out.
I'm a guy.
I like cupcakes but would find it creepy to go in just for the cupcakes.
Is there a separate entrance for guys who just want to buy some cupcakes?
sweetSEXYClassy - best description I can say about your dresses!!!...your dresses were perfect for my opening/celebration night - perfect fit and mix of showing some skin, in a classy and innocent way!!!!...Caroline you are the best - the dresses were awesome and flattering - thanks for tailoring to make it fit me like a glove!!!!
Keep the hot and unique colours and styles coming!!!!
your designs are a diamond in the rough and so refreshing! Quality and unique dresses and affordable...think people need to look past the "cupcakes" comments and focus on the core product here!
very nice stuff! keep it up. =)
Do they have an email address? (Their website isn't up yet.)
The email address is...
info@champagneandcupcakes.ca
Sorry...wicked website on the way! yay!
Gorgeous! Thank you BlogTO for posting this review. Can't wait to drop in! Great idea about the cupcakes- I'm thinking of buying up a bulk order for a stagette! Looking forward to ooh-ing and ahh-ing in your store, Caroline, and congrats on making the top list on BlogTO's site.
- Johanne
You are my hero.
the quality isn't that great. I checked out a few of the dresses and the sewing isn't neat and the lines were crooked - tried on a tube top dress...the top of the dress was not perfectly horizontal - the fold was crooked.
I was at the store today and had a VERY hard time deciding between dresses. I literally hummed and hawed for an hour and a half. And even though I took so long, they were extremely friendly, polite and understanding! I was extremely impressed. I'm going to have the best dress at prom! I'm torn between telling all my friends about it, and keeping this gem a secret to myself. They definitely just gained a loyal customer.
does this store have a website ?
I'd like to see you make a dress look half this nice. These dresses are beautiful creations! And the fact that there hand made by one person is outstanding
I agree with Promqueen101. These dresses are the nicest and most original creations I have seen in a long time. Tacky is NOT a word to use anywhere near this store. Has "Anonymous" been in Le Chateau now THAT'S tacky!!!!
Not to mention Caroline Lim is one of the nicest people I have dealt with in a store in a long time.
Your dresses are beautiful and so is the store.
Be sure to read the comments! I'm going to pop by for sure now that I see this great dress on the not-so-honest person :)
http://www.torontolife.com/daily/style/best-dressed/2009/05/27/torontos-best-dressed-may-27/
fashion school drop-out dresses!
mediocre sewing/tailoring/workmanship.
cookie-cutter designs.
tacky prints and overpriced.
there is far greater talent and quality out there.
look beyond this queen st w blemish.
you are an idiot!
I disagree with above comment. Quality is there, fashion sensibility, however, is not. The dresses here are like well made Le Chateau pieces. I don't think any discerning fashionista would ever even consider wearing something out of this store. Bottom line, the girl can sew.
So happy that I found this store. Beautiful dresses and very affordable. I'm thrilled with the dress that I purchased. Caroline was lovely to work with. Very pleased.
The dresses are so affordable!
i loe this designer!