Wikipedia

Julia Haart

(Redirected from Draft:Julia Haart)
Not to be confused with Julia Hart (disambiguation).

Julia Haart (born April 11, 1971), previously Talia Leibov,[1] is an American fashion designer, entrepreneur, and author. She is the founder of +Body by Julia Haart, a body-positive, technologically advanced shapewear brand.[2][3] Julia is the former chief executive officer (CEO) of Elite Model Management.[4] She previously owned a namesake shoe collection, and was creative director at the Italian luxury house La Perla.[5] Haart is also the subject and executive producer of the Netflix miniseries My Unorthodox Life, which described her 2013 decision to leave her Haredi community. Haart serves on the Emerge America Creative Coalition, the ERA Coalition Advisory Board and the Association for Foreign Press Correspondents USA Board of Directors. [6]

Julia Haart
Born
Julia Leibov

(1971-04-11) April 11, 1971 (age 53)
Moscow, Soviet Union
(now Russia)
Years active2013–present
Labels
Spouses
Yosef Hendler
​
(divorced)​
​
​
(m. 2019; sep. 2022)​

Biography

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Early life

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Haart was born in Moscow in 1971. She and her parents left Russia when she was 3, and moved to Austin, Texas. In Austin, she attended private school, and was the school's only Jewish student. When Haart was in fourth grade, they moved to Monsey, New York, which has a large Haredi community that appealed to her parents, as they grew more religious.[7][8]

Haart attended Bais Yaakov Academy in Brooklyn, New York. At 16, she taught herself how to sew, and read fashion magazines in her house.[9][8] When she was 18, she changed her first name, "to the more Hebrew-sounding Talia, in order to attract a match".[8] After graduating from high school, she attended seminary for one year at Beth Jacob Jerusalem.[1] At 19, she married her first husband, a yeshiva student, five years her senior.[10]

Leaving the Haredi community

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While living as a Haredi Jew throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Haart became increasingly uncomfortable with her community. The treatment of her younger daughter, Miriam, bothered her in particular.[8] In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, she said that her daughter "just wouldn't conform. They were doing to her what they had done to me — trying to push her down and mold her into that flat person that they could disappear. I couldn't let that happen."[11]

After leaving the community, she took on the name Julia Haart. The last name Haart is derived from her maiden name, Leibov, which is similar to Lev, Hebrew for "heart".[8]

Career

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Early career

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At the seminary, Haart obtained a teaching certificate.[1] Thereafter, she taught English and/or Judaic Studies at several Jewish schools: Yeshiva Atlanta in Atlanta; Sha'arei Torah in Brooklyn; Bnos Leah Prospect Park Yeshiva High School in Brooklyn; Yeshiva of Spring Valley in Monsey; The Adolph Schreiber Hebrew Academy of Rockland (ASHAR) in New City; Bais Rochel in Monsey.[1]

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Haart worked as a Judaic Studies teacher at Yeshiva Atlanta; "staff who knew her at the time – when she went by the name Talia Hendler – recalled that she was beloved by students and known for her sharp style".[10] For years, Haart secretly sold life insurance.[8]

Julia Haart Shoe Collection

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After leaving the Haredi community in 2013, Haart founded a shoe company, Julia Haart, with the goal to make shoes that were both fashionable and comfortable. She partnered with a ski boot engineer and a German company that creates a gel used by NASA to create a comfortable high-heeled shoe.[12]

La Perla

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In 2016, Haart collaborated with La Perla for their Spring and Fall 2016 accessory collections. The same year, she was named as the creative director for the brand.[13][14]

Following her appointment as Creative Director of La Perla, Haart launched a new approach to ready-to-wear for the company.[15] At La Perla, Haart created the first stretch Leavers lace, and launched a collection of ready-to-wear lingerie with built-in support. For her Fall/Winter 2017 fashion show, Haart constructed a "La Perla Manor" runway show, in which Naomi Campbell, Lindsey Wixson, Sasha Pivovarova and Kendall Jenner walked.[16]

Haart is known for her 2017 Met Gala dress designed for Kendall Jenner. The gown consisted of 85,000 crystals affixed to a single string.[17]

Elite World Group

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In March 2019, she became chief executive officer and chief creative officer of the talent media conglomerate Elite World Group (EWG).[18][19] Under Haart's leadership EWG has re-focused the brand and added new divisions. Elite World Group prioritizes assisting models to monetise their brands and business projects.[20]

Additionally, Haart is the creative director of e1972, a luxury fashion brand launched by Elite World.[21] The collection received a lot of positive media attention,[22] and was celebrated for its "innovation, inclusivity, and inspiring message of empowerment".[23]

Brazen Memoir

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In April 2022, Haart released her memoir Brazen, published by Penguin Random House.[24] The book details Haart's life story from an ultra-religious housewife to shoe designer, to CEO of the modeling agency, Elite World Group.[24] The memoir was released in audiobook format simultaneously narrated by Julia Haart herself.[25] Brazen received praise from critics. Soon after its release, the book became a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Sunday Times Bestseller.[26][27]

+Body by Julia Haart

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In 2023, Haart launched +Body by Julia Haart, an American shapewear and clothing brand. +Body focuses on body positivity and inclusivity across the brand and practices inclusive sizing.[2] The shapewear was designed to be worn visibly with color-infused fabric technology.[28] The line tackles common issues, fusing materials together to avoid white and seam lines.[2] +Body has been listed as The Very Best Shapewear by The Strategist.[29]

Activism

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Julia Haart is a prominent advocate for women's rights, democracy, and social justice, using her public platform to highlight the challenges faced by marginalized communities worldwide. Her activism focuses particularly on supporting women living under oppressive regimes and promoting democratic values.[30]

Ukraine

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Julia Haart has been deeply involved in providing humanitarian support to Ukraine during its ongoing war with Russia. Haart received an award from the 109th Territorial Defense Brigade as gratitude for “a significant contribution to the development and support of the Ukrainian army, territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine”. [31]

In December 2022, Haart partnered with the Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Ukraine Friends to personally deliver medical supplies to Bakhmut Ukraine. Her initiative brought ambulances, medicine, medical supplies and toys to the refugees and soldiers. Her efforts helped to draw international attention to the conditions in Ukraine. Haart partnered with actor Liev Schreiber in organizing charity events that successfully raised over one million hryvnias to support Ukrainian children affected by the war.[32] These funds were used to provide critical resources, including medical supplies and educational support for children displaced by the conflict.

Combating antisemitism

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Haart has been a strong advocate in the fight against antisemitism. In 2024, she launched Ahm Nation, a website to support social media advocates, helping them combat rising online antisemitism and providing resources for fighting hate speech.[33] In 2023, Haart visited Israel to show solidarity after a series of Hamas attacks, where she met with communities affected by the violence.[34] Haart accompanied an active IDF unit into Gaza, and interviewed both President Herzog and PM Netanyahu.[35] Haart condemned anti-Israel protesters, and is using her platform to combat misinformation surrounding the Israeli conflict.[36][37] In one 2024 rally, Haart spoke about her personal experiences as a Jewish woman and expressed her pride in her heritage, stating that she has “never been prouder to be a Jew”.[38] At this event, she emphasized the importance of unity within the Jewish community and vowed to continue advocating against antisemitism, not only in the U.S. but across the globe.[39]

Advocacy for Women in Iran

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In the wake of widespread protests against the Iranian regime, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, Haart has used her platform to amplify the voices of Iranian women fighting for their rights. Haart led a protest in Washington, speaking out against the Iranian government’s treatment of women. During these protests, Haart spoke about the systematic oppression faced by women in Iran, including restrictions on dress, education, and freedom of speech.[40] Haart, along with Kate Rigg, Heidi Sieck, Nicole Ansari, Shaunna Thomas, Marlene McCarty, Antoinette Cooper, Miriam Haart, BETTY, A'shanti F. Gholar, and Jen Aks organized cultural and art events such as the Paint2Power public art-making initiative, which raised awareness about the plight of Iranian women through creative expression. Haart participated in fundraising events, such as the SheHer fundraiser, aimed at raising awareness for Iranian women fighting for their freedom.

Awards and Recognitions

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CHI È CHI Award (2021)

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Haart received the CHI È CHI Award in recognition of her contributions to female empowerment and for being a source of inspiration to women.

21 Leaders for the 21st Century (2022)

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In June 2022, Haart was named one of the "21 Leaders for the 21st Century," honoring her as one of the pioneering individuals advancing gender equality. [41]

Icon Award for Impact and Innovation (2023)

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Julia Haart was honored with this award during London Fashion Week in 2023. The award recognized her influence in both fashion and humanitarian efforts. [42][43]

109th Territorial Defense Brigade Award (2023)

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Haart was recognized by the 109th Territorial Defense Brigade of Ukraine for her contributions to the Ukrainian army and efforts to support the country's territorial integrity.[44]

WIN Woman Leadership Award (2024)

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Haart was awarded the WIN Woman Leadership Award at the WIN (Women in Negotiation) Summit, acknowledging her leadership and advocacy for women. [45]


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After Haart told Scaglia she was divorcing him in 2022, he fired her from Elite World Group. Haart sued Scaglia in Delaware's Chancery Court. Haart stated that as an equal owner of EWG, she could not be dismissed. On August 4, 2022, Vice Chancellor Morgan T. Zurn of the Delaware Chancery Court issued a ruling that although Julia owns 49.99% of the company, Silvio Scaglia is the controlling shareholder.

In February 2023, Julia Haart filed a fraud lawsuit against Silvio Scaglia, Paolo Barbieri, Jeffrey Feinman, and the accounting firm, DDK & Company. Haart alleged that Scaglia and his co-conspirators misrepresented her ownership in the company, and induced her to continue working as CEO of EWG without a salary or contract. The lawsuit was initially dismissed by the court, but Haart appealed the decision.[46]

In October 2024, the New York Appellate Division granted Haart the appeal and reinstated Haart’s claims in her lawsuit against Silvio Scaglia, Jeffrey Feinman, and the accounting firm, DDK & Company. The court found that Haart’s reliance on Scaglia’s statements about owning 50% of Freedom Holding Inc. (FHI) was reasonable due to their fiduciary relationship as family members and co-owners.

Additionally, the court reinstated claims against Jeffrey Feinman, noting that it was reasonable for Haart to rely on his representation as an accountant. Claims of fraudulent concealment related to FHI’s preferred stock were also reinstated, with the court affirming Scaglia’s duty to disclose due to their fiduciary relationship. Furthermore, the claim that Feinman and DDK aided and abetted Scaglia’s fraud was reinstated, with the court finding that the preparation of key documents, including tax returns, constituted substantial assistance.[47]

In June 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Scaglia after he was found in contempt of court for failing to comply with a court order requiring him to pay $300,000 in legal fees to Haart. As a result, the court sentenced him to 20 days in jail. [48]

By September 2024, Scaglia’s financial situation became a point of contention in the ongoing litigation. Scaglia requested a court-appointed attorney, citing financial hardship. However, Haart's legal team raised questions about his financial claims, pointing to reports of Scaglia's spending on yachts and private jets during the summer. [49]

Personal life

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Haart has four children with her first husband, Yosef Hendler: Batsheva, Shlomo, Miriam, and Aron. Batsheva, who goes by the last name Haart, is a content creator who was married to Binyamin "Ben" Weinstein from 2012 until their divorce in November 2021.[50] Miriam has also adopted her mother's last name Haart. Aron, who is in high school, splits his time between his parents in Manhattan and Monsey, New York.[51][52]

In June 2019, Haart married Silvio Scaglia.[53]

Haart is the eldest of eight children, one of whom died in a car accident at the age of 5. Only one of her siblings, a sister named Hannah, has a relationship with her; her parents and other siblings stopped talking to her after she left her Orthodox community.[52]

My Unorthodox Life

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Main article: My Unorthodox Life

Haart is the subject of the Netflix series My Unorthodox Life, which premiered in July 2021.[54] The documentary series follows the professional and personal life of Haart in her role as chief executive officer of Elite World Group, as well as an author, mother and wife.[55] The show has been received critically by many Jewish community members.[56][57]

In 2022, the Jewish Journal named Haart one of "The Top 10 Jewish Reality TV Stars of All Time."[58]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Haart, Julia. Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lingerie. Crown. ISBN 978-0593239162.
  2. ^ a b c "Julia Haart's Latest Venture Is a Shapewear Line". Oprah Daily. November 8, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Julia Haart Relaunches Her Shapewear Line for a Very Personal Reason: "For My Entire Life, My Body Wasn't My Own"". NewBeauty. July 6, 2023. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  4. ^ "Elite World Group is tapping modelling talent to build a media company". voguebusiness.com. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  5. ^ "La Perla Announces New Creative Director". vogue.co.uk. August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  6. ^ "Julia Haart: Board Member". foreignpresscorrespondents.org. February 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Hanau, Shira (July 16, 2021). "Julia Haart has a message for 'My Unorthodox Life' critics: Watch before you judge me". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Blake, Meredith (July 14, 2021). "She kept her ultra-Orthodox past secret. Now, she's using Netflix to tell her story". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  9. ^ Beg, Mirza Aaqib (July 14, 2021). "What is Julia Haart's Net Worth?". TheCinemaholic. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Connelly, Irene Katz (March 11, 2021). "Netflix will debut a follow-up to 'Unorthodox' — but it's not what you think". Forward.
  11. ^ Soloski, Alexis (July 13, 2021). "In 'My Unorthodox Life', Julia Haart Bares More Than Just Her Knees". The New York Times.
  12. ^ Smail, Gretchen (July 13, 2021). "This Woman Left A Fundamentalist Community & Became A Fashion Mogul". Bustle.
  13. ^ "La Perla Has a New Creative Director and a Surprising New Approach to Ready-to-Wear". vogue.com. August 24, 2016.
  14. ^ "Julia Haart Named Creative Director at La Perla". wwd.com. August 25, 2016.
  15. ^ "La Perla's wisdom: Creative director Julia Haart's mission of transformation". drapersonline.com. February 13, 2018. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  16. ^ "Julia Haart Is Making La Perla About More Than Just Sexy Lingerie". observer.com. March 15, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  17. ^ "Kendall Jenner Wore 85,000 Crystals Held Together By a Piece of String to the Met Gala". elle.com. May 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  18. ^ "Pandemic accelerates power shift in fashion, advertising". Associated Press News. April 20, 2021.
  19. ^ Felbin, Sara (December 13, 2019). "Elite World Group is tapping modelling talent to build a media company". vogue.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  20. ^ Biondi, Annachiara (December 13, 2019). "Elite World Group is tapping modelling talent to build a media company". Vogue Business.
  21. ^ "Elite World to Launch Fashion Brand". wwd.com. February 19, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  22. ^ "Elite World's Julia Haart Debuts e1972 on The Runway". Vogue. February 9, 2020.
  23. ^ "Does a Powerhouse Modeling Agency Need a Fashion Brand?". February 9, 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Brazen by Julia Haart: 9780593239162 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  25. ^ "Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lin... Audiobook". audiobooksnow.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  26. ^ "Brazen by Julia Haart: 9780593239162 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  27. ^ "Brazen: THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING MEMOIR FROM THE STAR OF NETFLIX'S MY UNORTHODOX LIFE by Julia Haart | WHSmith". 'WHSmith. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  28. ^ "Julia Haart Relaunches Her Shapewear Line for a Very Personal Reason: "For My Entire Life, My Body Wasn't My Own"". NewBeauty. July 6, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  29. ^ Pardilla, Ambar (August 1, 2023). "The Very Best Shapewear". The Strategist. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  30. ^ "Julia Haart: Breaking Free While Empowering the World". sociallifemagazine.com. November 2, 2023.
  31. ^ "Julia Haart: Board Member". foreignpresscorrespondents.org. February 1, 2024.
  32. ^ "Actor Liev Schreiber and fashion designer Julia Haart raise over $25,000 to aid Ukrainian children". rubryka.com. September 4, 2024.
  33. ^ "Julia Haart launches website to support Zionist social-media advocates". jns.org. March 14, 2024.
  34. ^ "Netflix star Julia Haart visits Israel to show support". reuters.com. December 21, 2023.
  35. ^ "From glitz to Gaza: 'My Unorthodox Life' star Julia Haart visits Gaza". jpost.com. December 25, 2023.
  36. ^ "Reality star calls pro-Palestinian protesters 'Nazi wannabes'". newsnationnow.com. June 12, 2024.
  37. ^ "Netflix star Julia Haart stands in solidarity with Israel, visits communities after recent Hamas attack". economictimes.indiatimes.com. December 23, 2023.
  38. ^ "Julia Haart helps launch site to support fight against antisemitism". pagesix.com. March 13, 2024.
  39. ^ "At rally for return of hostages, Julia Haart says she's 'never been prouder to be a Jew'". timesofisrael.com. December 30, 2023.
  40. ^ ""She/Her" - Fundraiser Performance for Iran with Julia Haart". upcomingevents.com. March 26, 2023.
  41. ^ "Women's eNews Selects its '21 Leaders for the 21 Century' 2022". womensenews.org. July 31, 2022.
  42. ^ "Julia Haart from 'My Unorthodox Life' to receive Icon Award at London Fashion Week". thisisicon.co.uk. September 15, 2023.
  43. ^ "AWARD WINNERS". luxurynewsonline.com. September 16, 2023.
  44. ^ "Julia Haart: Board Member". foreignpresscorrespondents.org. February 1, 2024.
  45. ^ "the-power-to-speaker-bios". winsummit.com. October 13, 2024.
  46. ^ "'My Unorthodox Life' 's Julia Haart Sues Estranged Husband and Costar for $257M: 'Liar and a Fraud'". people.com. July 9, 2022.
  47. ^ "Supreme Court of the State of New York Appellate Devision, First Judicial Department". iapps.courts.state.ny.us. October 3, 2024.
  48. ^ "Nancy Chemtob speaks with Page Six on latest development in Julia Haart's divorce—her ex-husband, Silvio Scaglia, to be arrested and jailed for 20 days for contempt of court". cmfb.com. June 13, 2024.
  49. ^ "Modeling boss Silvio Scaglia tells court he's so broke he needs a free lawyer — yet seems to have spent the summer on yachts and private jets around Europe". pagesix.com. September 23, 2024.
  50. ^ Stanton, Leanne Aciz (November 22, 2022). "My Unorthodox Life's Batsheva Haart Dishes on Life After Divorce: 'I Have Grown So Much'". US News. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  51. ^ Miller, Korin (July 23, 2021). "Julia Haart's Daughter Miriam Is Training For The New York City Marathon RN". Women's Health. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  52. ^ a b Spiro, Amy. "From frum to fashion week: Julia Haart's 'Unorthodox' journey burns up Netflix". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  53. ^ Nicolaou, Elena (August 3, 2021). "Julia Haart: My (very) unorthodox life". thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  54. ^ "Netflix Orders New Series from Jeff Jenkins". Variety. March 10, 2021.
  55. ^ "Netflix Grows Docusoap Slate". Hollywood Reporter. March 10, 2021.
  56. ^ "How to Answer the Jewish Issues Raised in Netflix's "My Unorthodox Life"". July 14, 2021.
  57. ^ "My Unorthodox Life is Compelling TV That Could Make Life Harder for Some Jews". July 14, 2021.
  58. ^ Zeitlin, Alan (December 23, 2022). "The Top 10 Jewish Reality TV Stars of All Time". Jewish Journal.
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