Fashion

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Deena Pantalone

Toronto’s Best Dressed: Deena Pantalone

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This week’s pick donned the perfect party frock, which nails all the right balances: classic, but not boring; bright, but not blinding; youthful, but definitely not for teenybopper set. We spoke to the diva behind the dress, Toronto developer Deena Pantalone, who explained her approach to recessionary fashion that, incidentally, doesn’t involve skimping on shoes.

(Photo by Emer Connon)

Your vibe is sort of Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. Is that what you were going for?
Exactly. I even got my hair done to complete the look. My style is more sexy and elegant than it is trendy.

Who designed your dress?
Well, me, sort of. It’s a really old vintage dress I’ve had lying around the house for years. My cousin is a stylist in New York, so she helped me decide how to alter it, and then I just took it into one of those tiny mom-and-pop seamstress shops on Queen West.

You’re quite the recessionista. Do you find a lot of people are repurposing clothing because of the economy?
Sure. Or they’re wearing the same dress but getting a great bag or a great pair of shoes to make the outfit.

Sort of like how guys are buying new ties rather than new suits.
Yes. It’s all doom and gloom out there, but it’s still nice, if you can, to get dressed up and have fun.

What about your accessories. Are you a big shoe person?
Oh God, yeah. These are Louboutins. They’re a splurge, but it honestly feels like you’re walking around in bedroom slippers, so they’re worth it.

How much is too much to spend on footwear?
I don’t even want to say. In my business, we’re all singing the blues, so expensive shoes are really over the top. For some reason, it’s OK to spend $2,000 on a Gucci purse, but people make a big deal over $700 shoes. You wear the hell out of shoes!

Topics: accessories Best Dressed Parties Recession shoes vintage

153 thoughts on “Toronto’s Best Dressed: Deena Pantalone”

  1. Speaking of wearing the same dress. I have this dress. The exact same dress, down to the colour and every last detail of stitching. Its neon red and amazing. Although it looks vintage, its not. FYI hunny, ‘you’ didnt design this dress, at all. They didnt make neon red cocktail dresses in the 50’s.

    The “tiny mom-and-pop seamstress [shop] on Queen West”,
    is in fact a fabulous dress boutique called Champagne and Cupcakes. I think credit should be given where credit is due.

    Great dress though.

  2. No disrespect to Deena, but there a lot of people in toronto who aren’t interested reading about what shoes a person wore or how much she paid….or whether or not she is singing the blues while wearing them.

  3. If dresses and shoes aren’t of interest, then perhaps, Mededith, you shouldn’t be reading the STYLE blog?

  4. Ana thanks for your comment! I really love this dress and my heart sank when she said it was vintage. I called the store you mentioned just to see whether this dress was really from there and lo behold the store designer confirmed and further more sold her this dress herself for this event! Too funny. Because of you, she is now getting credit where credit is due and i’m going to buy this dress but in a different color

  5. Deena,

    I am EXTREMELY disappointed that you are claiming that you, “sort of” designed the dress and had it “altered at a seamstress shop on Queen.”

    WOW!

    I’m not sure what you are trying to prove, but you did not “sort of” design the dress. I, PERSONALLY designed AND made that dress. All I must say is WOWEE…talk about trying to steal credit. You should be ashamed of yourself.

    And FYI, Champagne & Cupcakes is NOT a “seamstress shop”, as I am NOT a seamstress. I am a designer. Champagne & Cupcakes is a local dress boutique which sells dresses designed and made by myself.

    All I have to say is WOW, the nerve of some people.

    Ana, thank you so much for making the correction! I really appreciate people who understand how to properly credit someone’s work and have an appreciation for it. Thanks again!

  6. oh…and Deena,

    I’m not sure how this dress was “lying around your house for years” if it was only created this season.

    Wow.

  7. I HAVE THIS DRESS TOO – but in an electric purple!!! From the amazing designer, Caroline Lim – Champagne & Cupcakes, on West Queen West! BUSTED!!

  8. perhaps deena believes that the queen west set doesn’t read toronto life:) since you’ve been to the strip recently, deena, you must have noticed there are very few mom-and-pop anything here left, much less a mom-and-pop tailor shop.

    note to the editor of this section: given the obvious appropriation of the dress design, i think a formal correction is in order. after all, we all know that copyright in the fashion industry is a hot issue right now. first mercy, now champagne and cupcakes (and the latter case so much more tacky since it seems to originate in the wearer’s egocentric need to present herself as ‘creative’ and ‘unique’, when what she seems to be is moneyed and crass).

  9. Produce the receipt Cupcakes, finish her off.
    Bet there isn’t even a cousin in New York.

  10. I cannot believe Deena’s audacity. What a complete and blatant lie! I work as a fashion stylist and often pull from Champagne and Cupcakes for shoots and magazine editorials. I know 200% that this dress is an original Champagne and Cupcakes deisgn as I would get to preview some of Caroline’s new designs before it’s sold in the store, and this was one of them! She had even consulted me on some of the fabric color choices she was thinking of offering in her new collection. She has options in yellow, green and red in that dress, and it’s one of her best selling designs! Does she seriously think she can fool the fashionistas in Toronto?! I completely agree with Kathy’s comment above on copyright. Please, have some class and own up to your pathetic fabrication.

  11. How horrid. Ewwww shame on Toronto Life and Deena. Being fabulous is about being true, open and honest not sugarcoating the story to seem like a “recessionista” . How ugly and definitely not worthy of Best Dressed. Whoever submitted this should really have a look in Vogue and perhaps read it to understand real beauty, because really that’s appalling.

  12. I’m so happy for you that the truth came out! It’s really unfortunate when people take credit for your work or steal your ideas or don’t give credit!

    Patricia

  15. I have been a loyal customer to Caroline (the owner and designer of the dress above) and it is sad that this happened…thank god it was corrected but you have to wonder how many other people out there are fabricating the truth for their own profit.

    Champagne and Cupcakes is a wonderful store with a very hardworking and talented owner and designer! She is not only an amazing talent but a great person!
    Love you Caroline!

  17. I really appreciate all the positive feedback! Wow. I’m gonna give credit to where it’s due, so Deena, thanks to you, all the loyal Champagne and Cupcakes customers are getting a treat. I’ll be having a ‘Miss Discredit Discount Sale’. As a thank you for leaving a comment, Champagne and Cupcakes will offer you a discount at the store! Just print out your comment from the blog and we’ll take $5 off each regular priced in store dresses or 10% off accessories on your next purchase from May 27-June3, 2009.

    Thanks for the support! XOXO!

  20. Not that another comment truly needs to be made, HOWEVER, as an employee at Champagne and Cupcakes I can say that this beautiful frock is a genuine Ms.Lim design – I have sold and seen Caroline sell more than just a few of this brand-new and fabulous dress in the store.

    And to put Deena straight – Caroline’s boutique is not one bit “Mom and Pop”, and she is a DESIGNER not a seamstress.

    Shame on you Deena. If you were even a tiny bit of a designer, you would never claim someone’s elese work to be your own.

  21. Not that another comment truly needs to be made, HOWEVER, as an employee at Champagne and Cupcakes I can say that this beautiful frock is a genuine Ms.Lim design – I have sold and seen Caroline sell more than just a few of this brand-new and fabulous dress in the store.

    And to put Deena straight – Caroline’s boutique is not one bit “Mom and Pop”, and she is a DESIGNER not a seamstress.

    Shame on you Deena. If you were even a tiny bit of a designer, you would never claim someone’s else’s work to be your own.

  23. If I hem my jeans it doesn’t mean I designed them! The brand on the bum says Levi’s no matter what I choose to do with them. FYI Deena, this goes for dresses as well.

  24. this article only caught my eye because i too own this dress! was shocked when i began reading…LIAR!!!

    Deena Pantalone: shame on you!

  25. @Janine-Marie:

    She didn’t even do that! The altering she claims isn’t even true…. that dress is straight off the rack at Champagne and Cupcakes!

    As a designer, this REALLY burns me.

  26. As soon as I saw this photo I recognized the dress from Champagne and Cupcakes. I saw the dress in the store about a month ago and tried it on, but it didn’t look right on me. Champagne and Cupcakes has to be my favourite store, hands down. I’ve gotten a few great dresses there since it opened last year and it gives me a lift just to go in. It’s nice to know that Caroline is getting the credit she deserves.

  27. this is too funny. i luv this dress and i’m coming to try it on tomorrow. WOW, the nerve of the rich

  28. Deena’s a typical evil developer— finding something cool and then trying to pass it off as their own.

    Deena,perhaps you’re one of the best liars but definitely not the best dressed.

  29. I love this new feature in Toronto Life – finally, we some great fashion discussion going on, and this week it meant ousting someone who has likely been denying local designers of their due credit all over town! Great dress, and great work everyone!

  30. Not even a very good liar to start with…

    Caroline, I am so sorry this happened to you. YOUR designs are beautiful and no one should ever try to pass them off as their own..ew tacky.

    And Deena is a hack, she’s obv getting the credit she deserves.

    GO Champagne and Cupcakes!

  31. kind of makes you wonder what else she may be lying about as well…….

    it’s so great to see that so many people recognize the real creative mind behind the dress. I just moved here from Vancouver but will definitely be going by the shop to check out what other lovely pieces are there.

  32. I agree, I’m loving this discussion and that it only took a matter of hours for the truth to be revealed. Toronto Life, I think this deserves a follow up interview and post!

  33. @Lorna

    No, it’s the other way around. I think Deena IS a best dressed because it’s a really hot dress, she’s just one of the worst liars!

  34. This is how its done Deena, dig your own hole. SHAME..just give the credit where it belongs. By saying its vintage doesn’t make you look any more glamorous, especially when we all know this dress doesn’t belong in the era.

    Shame on Deena!

  35. Caroline,

    I love the dress it is gorgeous and I’m totally going to come check out your store. This Deena chick is a jerk.

  37. hahaha i know this girl…

    Deena you really need to relax with claiming a design is yours when it cleary is not. Like what your so spoiled that you’re afraid to let people know that your not wearing Gucci or Prada? way to use the “it’s vintage card”

    ps the new york cousin is real, but she is hardly a stylist hahaha She’s just as much of a poser as her cousin.

    Caroline, love your designs girl… my girlfriend wore that exact dress for her birthday and was definitely the best dressed birthday girl i have ever seen. I need to come in to check out your collection.

  38. For the record, the style of this dress is a classic. As if it is an original of Champagne and Cupcakes, if anyone should get the design credit it’s Oscar de la Renta and the store did nothing but knock it off. I think Deena looks amazing and anyone who is bashing the dress can’t argue that. Maybe it’s similar to a dress in some store but either way no one wears it better than she does.

  39. Audrey Hepburn had style & grace.

    You may have style with this gorgeous dress but honey…you definitely DO NOT have grace!

    shame on you.

  40. Well thank you to this Deena chick and the Toronto Star…This is the first outfit on the “best dressed” list I actually liked…and now I know where to go to buy it!

  42. She stole credit for a dress and why is she called a recessionista if she’s dropping mega bucks on shoes and high end jewelery???

    Considering everyone and their dog knows this dress is from C&C – kind of questions the person who is heading up this section in Style, don’t it?

    Recessionistas buy accessories where they are cheap. Their shoes are the same. And the dress? Well I think Deena’s been embarrassed enough. Plus very unflattering on her. Looked better on me!

  43. Any chance Toronto Life (or somebody else) is willing to do a side-by-side of this pic and C&C’s dress?

  44. re: lilly – the accusation is that she actually bought the dress at champagne and cupcakes, rather than altering a vintage dress she already owned, as ms. pantalone claims. if true, the dress she’s wearing is definitely not simply ‘similar to a dress in some store’. that’s what’s at issue here. not whether she looks good in it. but interesting spin on the case, i was wondering what angle deena and her friends will take to deflect the criticisms.

  47. Girlfriend lied her butt off and got caught, thinking no one would catch her.

    She is getting stones thrown at her in every direction and no one should try to fight it, because she deserves it. There is no credible defense. The only face saving thing to do is to apologize to Caroline. In person. But failing that, no one should try to defend her. This too shall pass (although it’s going to last awhile), so the next best thing is for her to keep quiet.

    And not to put a caste system on things, but being a designer does require much more skill than being a seamstress, but Miss Thing is probably too pampered to realize that no one in the service sector is her servant. Everybody that “serves” her is probably a “squire” in her mind – sort of like Don Quixote.

    Props to Caroline for a great design.

  48. @ lilly:

    It’s ridiculous. Given, that designs are all some sort of knockoff or ‘inspired’ by another design, but to actually wear the item of a designer and claim credit as your own is just wrong.

  50. All I have to say is Caroline Lim designed that dress, so Deena we all have to expose ur for the lying witch u really are thats my sister ya hearrrrrrrrrr so stop this blasphemy

  51. And with apparent ease, Deena managed to cram her Louboutin-clad foot in her gaping maw…

  52. First of all the dress is amazing. Clearly it got the attention that it deserves. But I do have to say that I have been totally misquoted from the Toronto life magazine, so I do have to come to the defense of deena. I am sure the designer of C&C can understand this as well. This type of stuff always happens in these types of magazines.

    As an ending note, Deena looks amazing and the Dress looks amazing, and one with out the other would have never gotten this exposure to begin with.

    I think we should leave it at that ladies. Let’s be positive!

  54. I cannot believe the nerve!! I personally know how hard Caroline works and how many FABULOUS creations she has come up with at her FANTASTIC, ONE-OF-A-KIND boutique Champagne and Cupcakes! Keep your head up girl, as we can tell from these postings there are still some genuine people out there…and shame on you Deena! Tsk Tsk Tsk for trying to pull off talent like that as your own! As wrong as it is imitation is still the highest form of flattery!

  55. To the fabulous Caroline Lim, original designer of this beautiful dress and owner of one of Toronto’s best independent boutiques, Champagne and Cupcakes- WOW!

    I cannot believe this Deena lady tried to take credit. It’s sad how some girls need to blatantly lie to make themselves look original in the eyes of others. This is 2009, and we are living in the world of SOCIAL MEDIA- dont’ even think about lying like ms. Deena here, and get away with it!!

    I have never seen so many comments on any TL blog posting. Caroline, you should be uber proud! We all love you and your designs!

  56. The only thing missing is another picture of a Weston or Easton…Like who cares about these people…get real Toronto Life, your starting to piss me off…

    How tacky is it to talk about the price of your clothes??? I should tell you that I dry clean my dress shirts for $1.86 per!!! oh yah, they were also 456.00 each!!! ahahhahhhahhaahahahahahaahaha

    You suck

  59. This is SICK:
    – in the worst way for miss Deena,
    – and sick in the best way for designer Caroline Lim!

    Champagne & Cupcakes is the most amazing store and I can’t believe someone would buy a dress from there and claim that it’s there own.

    I agree with the above comments, that Toronto Life should do a reprint of this story, and this time give back the credits to Caroline for Champagne & Cupcakes!!

    I m glad to see all the supporters of this amazing shop!!!

  60. Everyone, thank you so very much for your support. It is very nice to hear your positive feedback. Eventhough your support is very appreciated, please do not post anymore negative comments for Ms. Patalone.

    Although, I was upset at first, I now feel like Champagne & Cupcakes has received the proper credit for the dress. I would appreciate if this issue was laid to rest. Honestly, there are no hard feelings.

    Thanks again.

  61. The best part is that its a gorgeous dress-but it makes her look fat-so she doesn’t deserve best dressed. Toronto Life try picking someone who looks good in their clothes rather than based on their last name. St. Joseph’s Communications…I’m guessing you’re somehow behind this-Pantalone part of the family?

  62. The Good news for everyone is it’s only fashion and not something that actually matters one iota.

    And the dress sucks regardless of if Deena made it or if it was stolen from Libarace’s seamstress.

  63. This is very evidently a witch hunt that has been staged by the owner of Champagne and Cupcakes. Any dummy could figure out that these posts have been submitted by friends of the shop’s owner Caroline. I find this truly appaling. Shame on you Caroline for encouraging this disgusting display. I will certainly never bring you my business — whatever happened to discretion? How unprofessional.

  64. sorry, amoryn, you seem to be missing the point here. a witchhunt implies an innocent accused – not the case here. ms. deena brought this on herself with her ridiculous story, and lack of smarts (did she really not know that toronto life has comments section on its website, and that there is such a thing as an internet?). and what exactly should the maker of the dress that was claimed to be made by another person be discreet about? if somebody ripped off your work, and claimed it as theirs, you would be ‘discrete’ about it? are you insane?

    i don’t know the owner of the store, not that you’d believe me. but even if most of the posters are her friends, so what? does that make the facts of the case different? no.

  65. Discretion flies out the window when the way one puts bread on the table is undermined by someone who claims in print that they made the ugly dress instead of the rightful person who made said ugly dress.

  66. ha ha ha
    Seriously, what the heck was going on in this chicks head?
    If I were this fraudulent “Diva” I’d keep an eye open for the “Karma Police”
    tsk tsk…
    “You’re quite the recessionista”
    for one whole day. I hope it was worth it.

  68. I can’t believe this…Actually I can and that is what Karma is all about- Caroline is now getting the recognition she deserves and that chick just looks like an idiot.

  69. To Amoryn Engel – it’s far more shameful that you are obviously a friend of Ms. Pantalone and accusing a hard working owner of a business of going on a “witch hunt” against your friend. You are no doubt a great and loyal friend, but a lousy judge of character and propriety. There is no defense for what Pantalone did. None. Zippo.

    If you are a true friend, let her wear a sack cloth instead of C&C for awhile, and then she’ll get over it and get back to being a socialite with no regard for all the little people.

  70. Terrible, terrible, terrible. I cannot believe someone would do this to Caroline and her wonderfully talented self and equally successful store ‘Champagne and Cupcakes.’ I hope you are feeling very bad indeed for creating such a falsehood. In very bad taste!!

  71. Dear Amoryn Engel

    I have no words for you. You truly have no knowledge of what are rights, and what are lies…

  72. If anyone does a google search, you can find some pretty revealing things.

    Ms. Pantalone is no doubt a very powerful lady in the “right” circles, as are her defenders, some of who may have even posted on the comments section. So in the vein of an eye for an eye leaving everyone blind, we should all be celebrating the positives of this article instead of the negatives.

    Those that are advantaged, that find themselves in a position to run charity balls need to realize that the world does not revolve around them, and they cannot manipulate and lie just because they are rich and/or beautiful. The truth matters, and if you are the stewards and leaders of your organizations, what do your little white lies, and your bald-faced defenses say about you?

    If your heart is pure with charity, then you should know this already. It is never too late to change, and we can all pray for you.

  73. Amoryn Engel, this story has made the rounds on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#search?q=pantalone amongst other websites and blogs. How embarrasssing.

    Personally, I hadn’t heard of either designer or Queen of the Gaffe (Pantalone) prior to today.

    Although I must say it is very noble of you to pander to your society pal with your comments attacking the designer. With any luck, this display will earn you an extra double air kiss from her at the next event you attend together!

  74. Champagne & Cupcakes is my fave dress store! I tried on the dress in question in yellow just a couple weeks ago! Nothing’s worse than people getting credit for style or design they ripped off from someone else!

  75. Wow!!! Wow!!

    Okay-here is the deal. I know Deena. She is a friend of the family. Lets be clear and fair in our remarks. What she did…in claiming that she designed the dress, is WRONG.

    OKAY??? YES!! WRONG!!

    But what is with ALL you people freaking out???

    I haven’t spoken to her about this-I caught wind on Twitter.

    I really feel that many of you have lost your sense of proportionality. You are using crazy and hurtful language to attack someone, because she did something that 95% of us do…which is to bend the truth about fashion?? Where are your heads? DO ANY OF US WEAR MAKEUP? DO ANY OF US PAINT OUR NAILS???? IS THAT NOT ALSO A LIE…?? IS THAT NOT ALSO PART OF THE NEVER ENDING FASHION MYTH??

    I mean, its only fashion.

    Caroline has every right to be upset. But Deena is an amazing young woman, who is very family oriented, extremely hard working and donates massive amounts of her personal time to charity.

    And she screwed up.

    But please…back off with this venom. Its simply too much.

    There are some real issues in the world for us to be paying attention to…and some of them are the recipients of the amazing charitable work done by pillars in our society, like Deena.

    The anonymity of a blog, isn’t really a blank cheque, for you to lose your entire equilibrium. Its only fashion.

  76. LOL this is really funny, whenever someone says they’re clothes are vintage and they clearly aren’t I take it as they are too pretentious and embarrassed to share where it’s actually from.

  77. Let’s get serious….This dress is boring….
    There is nothing fashion about it.

    It’s been done a million times. There’s nothing original to this piece.
    Yes, what she did was tacky, but I don’t think it’s any more tacky then a designer that creates a look that isn’t there own.

    Best dressed? Please….
    Shame on you Toronto life for boring me
    Hire some really stylists to make that decision.

  78. Re: Wonder Woman

    I love how you think that because she is involved in charitable work, we should somehow find it within ourselves to exonerate her of what is clearly a fabrication.

    If it is “just fashion,” then how come Deena couldn’t just say she purchased it at Champagne and Cupcakes?

    This is just another case of trying to ‘up’ credibility outside of your professional domain and not having the style gene to pull it off. Deena is obviously not worthy of being named Best Dressed, not only because she is quite clearly taking credit for a several-decade-old silhouette, but also because the design isn’t that remarkable in the first place.

  79. @ Wonder Woman:

    Why is this blog getting so much attention?! People are passionate about expressing their outrage because this transcends into more than ‘ONLY FASHION’. Yes, this is a fashion post and the whole subject IS based/started on a fashion topic, re. ‘best dressed’, but what people can relate to is that she obviously lied and took credit for something she didn’t do. Whether you like the dress or not, who cares?! You can take the dress out of the equation because this goes beyond fashion, it can happen in any field of work, creative wise or business wise. Deena could’ve simply said ‘It was specially designed for me’, but instead she took the liberty to create an elaborate lie to make herself look better.

    And if Deena really IS a ‘pillar in the community’ as you claim, then she REALLY should have been smarter before she opened her mouth. Because this is no longer an issue of ONLY FASHION. Now I would question her morals and integrity when it comes to professional and business dealings. How can I be sure when working with her or for her that she will not just lie to benefit herself?!

    We’ve all been taught the moral of the story from a young age, from ‘The boy who cried wolf’ to dear old former president Mr. Bill Clinton. WHEN YOU LIE, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES!
    It’s not only fashion, it’s reality.

  80. Honestly people, get a life, I can’t believe ya’ll have this much time on your hands.

  82. Hmmm was reading the Toronto Star and saw a picture of Deena Pantalone in the above dress from the Butterfly Ball and it reads ‘Deena Pantalone in DIOR(?!) and her mom, Rene Pentalone’ The link to the article is below but her picture isn’t online, just in the actual paper…

    http://www.thestar.com/living/article/641187

    hmmmmm?

  83. Wow
    I am amazed how quickly this is whirling around cyber world. I am not calling anyones judgement or credibility into question but I do think everyone needs to step back and breathe. It could be a simple mistake and not malicious intent that has unleashed a heap of bitter which is a shame as I think the big story should be the money being raised for the Butterfly Ball-

    Reading todays Toronto Star Living section page L5 and there is a picture of Ms Pantalone with her Mom in the infamous ‘dress’ from the Butterfly ball. FYI its credited, according to the paper as being a DIOR. I can’t imagine she would tell different journalists separate stories concerning the provenance of her dress.

    Ms Pantalone has unwittingly become digital highway roadkill- Fashion carnage at its frothy finest.

  84. Ok, so for those of you who say this is “just fashion”, you’re right. Its really not that important. What is important though, is that this person didn’t have the decency to tell the truth and acknowledge another person’s hard work. I personally would have really respected Deena if she’d used the opportunity to help promote a home grown Canadian small business-part of the very backbone of our country’s economy. As a business person (or someone who works for her dad at any rate) you’d think Deena would understand how valuable this publicity could be to a small business. But instead, she used the opportunity to self-promote in a dishonest way. It makes us wonder what else is fake about her. Many people have a strong reaction to this story because it represents more than fashion. It represents a wealthy (and therefore in most people’s minds, spoiled) woman stepping on “the little guy” for her own advancement. Some of you can’t understand that because you’ve only ever been surrounded by very wealthy people. I have to say that, on a personal note, reading this story brought me right back to my years at Branksome Hall-a private girl’s school that both Deena and I attended (though I’m much younger than she is). This whole silly escapade felt just so authentically Branksome.

  86. Since 2 of Toronto Life’s top 10 Toronto restaurants are located in other cities, I’m surprised they picked someone who’s actually from Toronto for this Best Dressed thing.

  87. Deena is pathetic! Hahaha… with all her friends commenting here, she has no doubt heard that she has very PUBLICLY been found out! She is clearly to embarassed to defend herself, because she knows she lied.
    I don’t know this person or that person on here, but I do own that EXACT dress from Champagne and Cupcakes… whether or not she says its Dior or vintage – there is a very specific way you can tell it is neither…:
    see the lining at the shoulder peaking out slightly? I remember thinking that was a great touch to my dress – all three of the colourways had these very distinct linings in a slightly off-tone of the dress!
    Deena just thinks she’s too special to actually own something affordable by the rest of the general public.
    Prententious much?
    I dare Deena to apologize in face to the designer she ripped off – or to actually come forward to defend her ridiculous actions.

  88. Yikes!

    The dress is stunning. I’m glad Champagne and Cupcakes is getting widespread attention, and I hope Deena has learned her lesson.

    The Star has pulled the “Dior” claim and replaced the photo with other partygoers.

  89. well it seems friends of both parties have replied. i know neither but am disgusted at deena’s lie. whether or not this makes her a horrible person i can’t say but i’d be reluctant to trust her if i ever had any dealings with her.

    i think toronto life should run the same picture again with a story stating just the facts – the dress was not designed by deena but was purchased from champagne and cupcakes. no name calling just a correction of facts.

    yes this is just fashion, but fashion is some people’s business. it’s not quite as bad as if i claimed to be investing people’s money and was just stealing it but it’s plagiarism and ideas are worth just as much to some industries.

  90. the star has replaced it online but trust me when i say the hardcopy newspaper lying on my floor has a pic of her with her and Mom and it definitely says its a Dior. Interesting the Star online just changed the image and didn’t bother to mention a correction or any of the fashion tsunami that is whirling around. A little disingenuous I think on their end.

  92. @Like gag me with a spoon who said:

    “Since 2 of Toronto Life’s top 10 Toronto restaurants are located in other cities, I’m surprised they picked someone who’s actually from Toronto for this Best Dressed thing.”

    I am going by memory on this one, but I believe the two that you are mentioning are one in Cambridge and one just outside Collingwood by Blue Mountain – a major tourist destination for people from all over Ontario, including Toronto.

    I personally applaud Toronto Life for leaving the borders of Toronto proper. Although I do live downtown Toronto, I am fully aware that there are wonderful and worthy restaurants above the 401 and even west of the 427!

    I know this has nothing to do with the subject of this posting, but I just wanted to point that out.

  93. It’s not uncommon for people to lie about where their clothes are from when they feel embarrassed about the truth (“it’s vintage” being the most oft used fib, that I myself am guilty of). This in itself is sad and unfortunate but hardly uncommon. The fact that the lie involved a local designer and business was very, VERY, poor judgement on Ms.Pantalone’s part.
    That said, this is a ‘best-dressed’ list and although sweet, this outfit is far from the best thing I’ve seen around, having been to numerous “society events’ so-to-speak.
    Where are the REAL fashionistas of Toronto? Where’s Suzanne Boyd? Judy Shulich? Tammy Eckenswiller? Rita Liefhebber? Where are all the numerous artists and stylists?
    Carly, above, is right. I half-expect to see Lisa Airan come up next!

  94. Pingback: Coco&Lowe »  BUSTED!

  95. @ Seraph!!

    Clearly Seraph is ACTUALLY friends with or one of Suzanne Boyd or Judy Shulich or Tammy Eckenswiller or Rita Leifhebber…Nice attempt to elevate yourself into the eye of the fashion publishing community again…go back to nowheresville.

  96. Deena,

    I don’t care where you bought the dress or even if you made it yourself, I think it’s hot and I think you look great. Wear it well and hold your head high. PS. Nice shoes.

  97. As my mother always says, “Pretty is, as pretty does.” As I always say, “It’s what’s on the inside, that counts.”

  98. OMG I just heard the divine Shaun Proulx comment on his afternoon drive on this topic. BEST COMMENTARY SO FAR (he’s also the hottie behind the HIMBO! blog post above) on this disaster. LOL. Deena u suck.

  99. OOPS – I mean his afternoon drive show on 103.9 PROUD FM … the above made no sense otherwise I realized! J. (Deena u still suck.)

  100. @Simple Truth

    Not at all, actually. But I pay attention to fashion and think generally Toronto is not a well-dressed city with very few exceptions. There are certain women I admire for their glamour, sense of style, daring, originality and the women I mentioned are just a few. It only makes sense that people in fashion would be fashionable and so is the fact that 3 of the mentioned are in that industry. Ms Shulich is in the arts.

  101. I do not think that someone should take credit for someone else’s work, but at the same time the way that this was handled was not classy at all. The designer should have called the customer (who had to this point frequented her shop and spent enough money to deserve some respect) and expressed her displeasure. She should then have asked the customer to contact this magazine and provide a clarification/correction (and possibly an endorsement). Only then, if no response or explanation was forthcoming, would it have been appropriate to take the complaint public, and even then, it should never have become a smear campaign.

    There is a right way and a wrong way to handle things, and this was not handled well. I would never buy a dress from someone (I don’t buy dresses so lets say suit) who was so quick to attack their customers and to encourage others to do so. The designer’s subsequent comments seem to suggest that she realized this.

  102. Jeremy, Deena called Caroline a seamstress. That’s an insult. I’m a graphic designer and if someone referred to me as a typesetter or production artist they’d get it with both barrels.

    Props to Caroline for standing up for her artistry.

  103. Deena give credit where credit is due.!!. Caroline designed that beautiful piece of art you are wearing. Be considerate to the time and effort that goes into creating such a dress. Respect others and people may just decide to respect you as well.

  104. jeremy you’re delusional. this is what twitter and social media are based on: immediacy of information. what are you a mennonite?

  105. I’m a mennonite seamstress recessionista in laboutin heels
    A dynamite seamless procession of venom at the booty deal
    Handed to champagne and cupcakes from some bland b-cup fake
    While a bad babysitter hits twitter with bitter words that will get her
    Equally hated by friends of the offender, who somehow find a way to defend her
    Should have given the poor store the fairest mention,
    Instead of coming off like the poor man’s Paris Hilton
    Next time you find yourself at charity balls, remember C&C, and hope Clarity Calls

  106. Word on the street is that Deena herself went over to C&C yesterday to apologize (sort of) to Caroline.
    Case closed.

  107. Re: Jeremy

    That’s absurd. You seriously think each and every store you buy something from will take down your number so they can call you, just in case?! And so what if Deena spend money at C&C? So you think spending lots of money means she can do as she pleases?! She paid to buy the dress, not the right to boasts it as her own creation. And I do not see it as a smear campaign as the owner of the store merely stated a fact that it’s her own design. Deena lied, and she got caught.

  109. Sweet justice! And remember Deena, your deceit will be forever archived in digital repository called the world wide web. The internet—-the great equalizer.

    By the way, nice earings. Where did you get them? :->

  112. One more q: (not meant in a sarcastic way whatsoever)

    Caroline says she’s not a “seamstress” but a designer that designs and makes dresses. Does the difference lie in that a seamstress makes clothes based on other people’s designs and a designer designs AND makes the outfit?

  113. Everybody, this story is featured on today’s May 29th 2009 The Toronto Star – as the front page news~~~~

  114. re eddie:

    Well in the fashion industry we call a sewer the person who sews the clothes and puts the garment together, usually in large quantities. A seamstress is a person a consumer would normally bring their already bought and finished clothing for alterations, such as fixing a hem or letting out a seam. A designer is the creator of the garment, from design and concept. Caroline is known in the industry for doing it all herself. From fabric choices, to design, pattern drafting and sewing.

  115. wow, what a LOSER…at least the media storm is causing a lot of attention for the designer and she will probably have the busiest month ever in June.

    Deena….what a catch…hope you can find a SUCKER that will put up with your HIGH-MAINTENANCE, gold-digging, lies…did I mention LOSER..

  117. I think its really great that Deena apologized. That’s not easy to do and it does take character.

  118. I can’t believe some people on the star has the nerve to bash Caroline. I wonder if this Nick is also a friend of Deena.

    Suspicious that this was the last comment but the Star close off the comments. I guess being a socialite provide connections and benefits too.

    “Bad customer relation
    I think Lim has a nerve to brow bash a customer like that! The dress belongs to Pantalone, she can very well do what she pleases with it! The customer is always right. If I were her, I wouldn’t set foot in that shop ever again! Bad business sense to belittle a customer like that!
    Submitted by Nick1236 at 7:52 AM Friday, May 29 2009”

  119. It’s disappointing people like Nick have to bash a hard-working owner and deflect blame from Caroline.

    You rich people really have a sense of entitlement.
    You people have so much while others have so little, yet you take away what little they have.

  120. There is something else going on here besides taking credit for someone else’s work. The underlying point here is that Ms. Pantalone obviously felt the store and the price tag on the dress beneath what was expected of her. To lie about a dress bought and altered from Walmart would be excusable by everyone on this blog. I think what’s really irked people is that she’s elevated herself to a whole other level of snobbery. I’m not quite sure why she felt that claiming to refurbishing a vintage dress would somehow be more socially acceptable than admitting to buying from an inexpensive local designer. This is what confuses me most.

  121. Seraph, not admitting the dress is inexpensive to avoid embrassment and taking credit for someone’s work is two different things.

    I could imagine for Caroline that designing clothes represents her career, years of hard work & acquired knowledge, and definitely a big part of her her, if not, pretty much her life..

    Stealing credit away from Caroline is like taking away a big part of who she is.

    Deena, is a very privileged girl, and is like I said before, having so much yet taking away what little others have.

    Really resonates with the rich robbing the poor!

  124. It’s pretty pathetic that these Suburban Socialites feel the need (financially?) to shop at these so-called “mom and pop shops”, but feel the need to lie about it. Ms. Pantalone, you were being singled out for being the best dressed, did you not realize that by being honest, you would’ve gotten more style points for shopping locally? “Cousin in New York?” The fact that you would go so far to insult a talented designer is disheartening. The fact that by insinuating that this city doesn’t have the talent to dress you is just stupid.

    Leave the fabulous boutiques on Queen such as Champagne & Cupcakes to those who appreciate it. And the next time you have an event, I suggest you try shopping here: http://www.vaughanmills.com

  125. This dress is absolutely nothing to brag about. The design is plain-not classic just dull, dull, dull. The colour is horrendous. The cut is impressively unflattering. Its a very poor take on a fairly classic dress. The “designer” of this dress did not “design” it at all but did produce a poor cut on a classic. To have designed something in my book involves coming up with something new, fresh and fabulous or reworking something old and significantly improving it to appropriately modernize it-none of which was done by this designer. I have been through the cupcakes website and I was left throughly unimpressed. there is nothing new or original there. nor is there anything classic and exciting. certainly none of the clothes are well crafted or impressive.

    I agree that Deena should not have said what she said. I too, have lied in the past about where my clothes come from because I have not wanted to share my fashion secrets with the world. But I have certainly never taken credit for producing something that was not mine.

  126. so pathetic. Taking credit for somebody else’s creative work to make yourself look important. First you steal credit and then you drop prices, what a clown.

    I can’t fathom why you wouldn’t just say I got it from a great little shop on queen west, and for the press you’d probably have built a great relationship with the store rather than outing yourself as a try hard and ensuring yourself unwelcome in most shops in toronto.

  128. So, I work in the magazine world…not the fashion. Hell, I am terrible dresser…but this story resonates deeply with people who don’t care about fashion.

    When you buy a dress or eat a restaurant, you do so with the knowledge that the item or dish is actually created/cooked in that establishment. We trust that it is what it is. Occasionally consumers purchase a “cat in the bag” but most of the time we TRUST that what we are buying is authentic…or at least somewhat authentic.

    To take this analogy further, when we “consume” media from what we believe is a trusted source (in this case Toronto Life and The Star) we feel particularly hurt when in fact the story is inauthentic.

    I was once interviewed by the New Yorker magazine – I had a two sentence quote in a story that was over 8000 words. I received 5 fact checking phone calls.

    The truth is that the media make errors. Fact checkers can’t cover everything – including stories like this

    Believe me, if the media can be misled on a trivial matter as to where someone bought a dress, can you imagine what they miss on the REALLY important stuff.

    Food for thought, I guess.

  129. Amoryn Engel’s just peed-off because of all the BACK TRACKING she has to do for her upcoming column where she was going to lavish praise on Deena.

    Amoryn of the National Post and Ciara of Hello! Canada make Toronto look like such a small town as they consistently feature the same people in their columns, week after tired week. I hope Toronto Life will step up and feature the NEXT best thing.

    Amoryn and Deena – go drink yourselves silly at The Spoke Club. The hipsters can be found at…well, we wouldn’t tell you – if you were hip, you would know.

  132. Can i first just say that this incident has been tremendously exaggerated. Yes, she shouldn’t have lied. However, the true designer is now known and has been apologized to! Case Closed. Move On.
    It’s just a dress! There are more pressing matters that should be published on the front page of the Toronto Star! No where is it mentioned about the hard work, effort and money that she raised- that’s if we were still dealing with quality journalism.
    Deena was outwardly contrite. She shed no tears, says Lim. Is it really a matter to cry over? Was an apology not given! I’m sure Lim isn’t crying since her cocktail dresses are being ordered fast and furious!

  134. Apparently this fiasco has generated so much press that the designer’s website has crashed … what a shame! I would love to have a closer look at some of her designs.

  136. With this debacle, Deena comes across as an Airhead and a Mean Girl.

    At least she is apologizing to Champagne & Cupcakes albeit with a truckload of justifications.

    Would be better if she just said, “I’m sorry, I F$%ked up.”

  137. When I read about this my world came to a halt. I’m sure yours did too. But I got over it and found solace by rubbing my face in sh*&^y red underwear.

  138. Yet another example of how money can’t buy class. Lying,looking down on a “mom&pop” shop and yapping about how much you’ve spent on your shoes-how vulgar!

  139. Ms. Lim – you, I assume you have never told a lie or two before, and thus I congratulate you on that superhuman feat.

    You are shameful, unleashing your vicious, backstabbing, lying, sycophantic b*tches on that poor girl. And yes, I said “lying”. You, who move in a cutthroat world, how dare you judge others?

    Yes, Deena did wrong, but what you did was much worse.

    You must feel quite the winner – standing triumphant over the ashes of Deena’s reputation, as curious shoppers flock to your store and website. What success story you are and a role model to others!

    Disgraceful!!

  140. This is basically a public lynching. Yes, she lied. Yes, she did not give credit where it is due. And yes, she got busted. She has apologized. She has admitted she was wrong. I cheated on my homework in highschool. Does that make me an awful person. I have met Deena before. I don’t know her well – and do not claim to be friends – so don’t freak out and say that this is just another example of the ‘rich defending the rich’ (I by no means am rich). She is a pleasant person, who works hard, is charitable, and as a footnote – quite stylish – who has gotten caught in a scandal that has escalated to ridiculous proportions. Yes she is privileged, yes she has very expensive shoes. That does not make her evil. You should not assume she is looking down on designers (who according to all this chatter are looking down on mom & pop shops). I think this whole thing is an example of how everyone likes to find flaws in someone who has more than they do. We are all flawed folks – and I would be willing to bet that Deena wouldn’t waste her time calling you all liars and losers on the internet should the occasion arise.

  141. I think the Toronto Star article should be the closure here.

    Deena did the right thing in the end and she does deserve respect for that.

    Also, Caroline did try to stop the nastiness level pretty early on (Day One to be exact), so to anyone trying to cast aspersions at her for encouraging any of this is just being delusional.

    The irony is that Deena has far more class than the people defending her.

  142. It is a good thing that Ms. Lim is not designing for the Ottawa fashion crowd…that inhabit parliament hill, the Senate etc. . Firstly, they would never buy something that she had produced in several colors. Secondly, she has a big mouth, and she could have used this publicity positively…She will be selling many of this design for a few weeks yet, to all the Josephine Lunchbuckets of
    t.O. but the fashion mavens of Toronto wom’t touch her with a ten foot pole. All the movers and shakers in Ottawa that govern what we all say and do, would forget her name and address…Who wants to appear at a government function wearing a dress that has been reproduced in several colors. God forbid that Maureen Harper and the G.G. would order one of Lim’s style and then find out that half of the wives and M.P.’s are wearing the same outfit….Deena bought and paid for that dress,,,that makes her the owner…she can say Mickey Mouse made it if she wants…that does not make her a liar. Would everyone have been happy if she had appeared in sack cloth? Ms. Lim, enjoy your few minutes of fame, but, you blew it by acting like injured dignity….in this case, silence would have been golden…..

  143. A few points:
    – Remember what your teachers told you, “Don’t plagerize! Always attribute someone’s work properly.”
    – Remember what your mother (should have) told you. When you make a mistake or hurt someone’s feelings (or worse, do both), always apologize! and
    – Don’t ever do that again!
    Let’s end the tempest in a cupcake!

  144. Deena: what a poor example you are to your children. A liar! Remember liars never prosper!

  145. Really Bunner? That’s just what I’d expect to hear from the product of such a morally bankrupt town. Emphasis on ‘town’. The relative merits of the dress in question aside, I find it galling what passes for proper social graces and truthfulness in your world.

    BTW…I picture the oh-so-worldly Maureen Harper in a nice prairie frock, and the GG in fur, natch.

  146. Again….what a small town Toronto is. The Prime Minister’s wife is not Maureen Harper…..but LAUREEN Harper.

    Of course Deena has apologized – she HAD to once she was ousted publicly as a liar. It was the very least she could do.

  147. I agree. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, or should I say Lim’s shop… She has far too many supporters who just happen to have landed on this page…

    Is there a reason why this feature is still on the Toronto Life site if the information contained therein has been proven incorrect? And how did it happen that Lim’s dress was featured in the first place? Because those of us who work at magazines know that all that stuff is staged and incestuous. Deena was not likely the best dressed. Friends of the editor, friend of a friend, etc.

    Deena has said her piece but as far as I’m concerned it’s Lim who owes an explanation.

  148. Oh Deena! This douchebaggery is actually NOT the world’s biggest shock, especially to the people who actually know you and your “stories”. LOL, crying you a river sister…not.

  149. Deena’s living a silver-spooned dreamworld life, where honesty and integrity are just words and not personality traits.

  152. Pingback: BUSTED: The embarrassing case of the little red dress — Canadian Free Stuff
  153. Pingback: All that and Prince Harry too… « Fashionable People, Questionable Things

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