Businesswoman, best-selling author and Netflix’s My Unorthodox Life star Julia Haart has a new venture to lay claim to as +Body by Julia Haart, her luxury shapewear line, relaunches today with new designs and new fabric technology (think super sexy, super colorful Spanx that Haart says is meant to be seen). Like everything Haart does, this fashion foray is a family affair—her daughters Batsheva and Miriam star in the campaign with her—and takes a decidedly personal spin for the 52-year-old New Yorker, who calls this project her “freedom flag.”
You spent a lot of years covering up your body. How does it feel to embrace this kind of fashion?
People always comment on my “inappropriate” attire—that my tops are too low cut and my skirts are too short. What they don’t understand is that, to me, uncovering my body, being sensual and creating my own distinct look is FREEDOM. For my entire life, my body wasn’t my own. What I wore, how I wore it, who I touched, how I loved…all of it was controlled. I was told that I had to cover myself head to toe and be “tznius” or modest, because it was my responsibility to prevent men from sinning as they were incapable of controlling themselves. If I wore something colorful or sexy, and a guy had some inappropriate thoughts about me then that was on me. All women in my world had to hide who they were because men’s behavior was our responsibility.
To me, dressing in vibrant colors, designing clothing and wearing revealing clothing, is my Freedom Flag. It says, “This is my body and I am not ashamed of it and I refuse to hide anything about who I am or how I look. My body, my choice!” To me, fashion isn’t just about beauty and aesthetics, it’s about self-expression, art, individuality and freedom.
Are there any treatments you love for the body?
I love the Clear + Brilliant treatment. It’s gentle enough for my sensitive skin to handle, but strong enough to see a discernible difference. Two days after receiving the treatment, my skin is buttery-soft and glowing!
What is he one body product you swear by?
My favorite body skin care product is La Mer Body Crème ($300). I’ve been using it for a decade and I’m completely hooked. It leaves my skin buttery soft and applying it has become a ritual for me.
