Welcome to Tart Boutique on Granville Island – an exciting new retail experience that purveys sensual luxury. From classic little black dresses to high end shaving tools, we carry products that help make daily pampering a little easier.
Whether spoiling yourself or looking for a unique gift for someone special, Tart Boutique is filled with delicious items that enhance life’s pleasures. Open seven days, visit us here or explore our site for a sampling of our lines.
Venice has long been a muse for artists and thinkers alike – making it impossible for Tart Boutique creator Edie Orenstein to escape its seductive charm.
It is not simply the surreal experience of traveling through streets on a gondola, or the medieval architecture and renaissance art that appeals, but the intellectual liberty that is carved in its deeply cultured past.
Venetian Canal - courtesy of White Album Photography
Since the birth of Venice over fifteen hundred years ago as a refuge for those fleeing Germanic invasions on its protective marshy grounds, it has harboured countless refugees seeking religious, political and sexual freedom in Europe’s dark ages. 
The seat of political, naval and commercial power by the 13th Century, Venetian nobles and philanthropists vied with each other to patron the best artists, scholars and scientists. Art, literature and hedonism bloomed. 
At a time when most of the world were illiterate peasants, Venice was producing Gothic cathedrals and inspiring Shakespearean dramas. The Republics wealthy citizens celebrated the splendor of their city and produced some of the worlds most opulent surroundings. Many beautiful, educated and connected local women seized this opportunity to gain financial independance and thus gave rise to the iconic Venetian Courtesan. These intelligent and accomplished women were considered the jewel of Europe and have been remarked upon throughout literature of the time. Seen as essential to the economy of Venice, their occupation was not only protected but encouraged by the city’s leaders.
While much of Tart Boutiques aesthetic reflects a Venetian courtesans boudoir, it is the ethos and heritage of the city that inspires us the most. An embracing of art, pleasure-seeking and liberation. An open mind towards learning, an understanding of the importance of luxury and a shameless love for hedonism. 
Venice has a special place in our heart, which we hope to inspire in those who walk through our doors (and under our Venetian lamp!).
Images courtesy of Elizabeth and Mark Kowan
website: www.whitealbumweddings.com
facebook: http://tinyurl.com/yjgyu8q
Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, many Venetian women became the most sought after courtesans in the world. Beautiful, educated and often accomplished singers, poets and artists who were paid small fortunes for their companionship by politicians, poets, merchants and nobles. Despite modern connotations, these were respected members of the court and did much to forefront the womens liberation movement.
Veronica Franco, famous Venetian Courtesan and Salon Host
The most successful of these women lived independently in luxury. Her home became a hub of social activity where she would provide entertainment and amusements to Europe’s elite – artists, writers, aristocracy. As there were few public places to socialise outside the home, guests would gather in the Courtesans salon to discuss literature, politics and the days current events. It was at these salons that many of Venice’s most prominent courtesans earned their reputations for being remarkable conversationists, educated and talented writers who often compiled their own work. It was an opportunity for men to seek the company of intelligent and outspoken women and for ladies to advance the cause of their sex.
The idea of hosting a salon became popular in Europe, especially in Paris. Here the salons were often frequented only by women, who were free to discuss politics, literature and sexuality without being overshadowed by men.
Parisian Salon circa 1728
The most famous of these groups was known as ‘The Blue Stockings’ or ‘Les Bas Bleu’ (which came to mean ‘intelligent women’) – an appellation that travelled to Victorian England salons hosted by female nobility in London. In anti-Semitic parts of Germany, wealthy Jewish women organised salons in their homes, open to all ethnic backgrounds in an attempt to break down social barriers.
Salons throughout the world have come to be associated with a gathering of like-minded people to discuss often taboo topics in a safe and intellectual environment. While they have declined in a time when no subject is forbidden, the provision of a safe, non-judgmental environment where discussions can be lead by knowledgeable experts is becoming very fashionable once again.
On August 27th we hosted our official launch party with very special guest,
Earl 18k Gold pleasure object from Lelo!
A Venetian Masquerade Party, it was an evening of seduction and fantasy.
With complimentary hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails and live music.
Our beautiful costumes came from Watts Costumes, 217 West 6th ave. www.wattscostumes.com
Among the many fabulous goodies nestled around Tart Boutique is a bone fide superstar. This superstar has been featured in The New York Times, Glamour, GQ, Cosmo and Marie Claire to name but a few. Spotted at the Oscars, Super-bowl and other high profile events, this Canadian has gleaned international awards and gained an explosive reputation.
The story of the We-Vibe is a success story on many levels. Designed by a suburban husband and wife from just outside Ottawa who felt the world needed a perfect couples toy. After several years of intense, grueling research and design, they eventually came up with the We-Vibe.
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We are very excited to announce the first in our series of Sexual Savant Salons! Local sex and relationship coach Kim Anami will be hosting a series of discussions in Tart Boutique. These intimate 60-90 minute presentations focus on discussing a variety of sexual topics, aimed at teaching new techniques and allowing attendees to ask questions in a sensual and fun environment.
Tart Boutique enjoys a good treasure hunt. We love beautiful objects that are unique and inspiring and so were thrilled to discover Sunshine Coast silversmith and designer, Nicole Thomas. An Emily Carr graduate and entrepreneur, Nicole is largely self-taught when it comes to making jewelry. Heavily inspired by the shapes and motifs of Art Nouveau from the turn of the last century, she infuses butterflies and pearls into much of her work.
Nicole Thomas
Butterflies are a large part of the imagery we use at Tart Boutique. They carry the motif of love, ecstasy and desire. What makes Nicole’s pieces so unique is that she uses real butterfly wings – a fact that can often startle people. However, these colourful wings are ethically farmed in South America. Butterflies live short lives and the wings are harvested after they have naturally died. The farms are a part of a co-operative that follows strict guidelines and supports the local communities and workers – in much the same way we get fair-trade coffee. When asked about her draw to the Butterflies, she replied it was their unique development and evolution along with the organic shapes of their wings that appealed. Butterflies represent freedom, beauty and the ability to transform oneself.
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Last night Edie Hats and Tart Boutique attended a fabulous fashion show at Obakki in Gastown.
Black floppy straw by Lizzy from Edie Hats
Finally! Our organic line of shaving creams and lotions have arrived from England. In celebration, here are a few tips (courtesy of Edwin Jagger) on how to get the perfect shave in just two minutes.
The irresistible sexiness of a man wet shaving
2.00 Run hot water into a basin
1.50 Place shaving brush in the water
1.45 Splash hot water onto the beard area
1.35 Dip shaving brush into shaving cream and whip up a lather in your palm or shaving bowl
1.25 Lather your face using a circular motion
1.05 Take your razor and starting by the sideburns, shave with the growth of your beard. Down the cheeks, sideways near top and bottom lip, shave with the growth under the chin.
0.25 Rinse your face and pat dry
0.10 Apply a small amount of moisturiser
0.00 Admire yourself in the mirror
More and more men are putting down their electric razors and returning to the wet shave. A wet shave allows for a closer shave with a smoother finish. As we like to say here at Tart, the wetter the better…
While Tart Boutique will travel to the ends of the earth in order to source the best products available, it is always great to find luxurious high quality on our own front door! The discovery of Pure-Attar, a line of sumptuous oils, was a gift from the Gods.
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