20 Questions with HART Jewelry Founder Hart Hagerty

After a series of fashion internships in NYC at such industry powerhouses as People’s Revolution, CosmoGIRL!, and Nicole Miller, designer Hart Hagerty moved to Shanghai, China to work as a trend forecaster and contributor to US fashion publications while kickstarting her own eponymous brand, HART.

Hagerty moved back to her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina in 2016 where she designed a signature tassel earring that quickly attracted a fashion “it girl” following. With the brand blossoming, the mom of two expanded by adding what she calls “soulful adornment,” or customizable charm jewelry and breaded bracelets that allow women to wear pieces with personal meaning and purpose.

At the core of HART is a belief that jewelry can be a tool for self-transformation and manifestation, with its many bright, soul-boosting talismans as aesthetically happy as they should make you feel. HART pieces are both affordable and high quality with heavy gold plating, each one unique, sophisticated, and inspired by mantras like the Rumi quote, “Don’t be afraid of the cracks in your heart. That’s how the light gets in,” as seen in the Cracked Heart Necklace.

We caught up with HART founder Hart Hagerty below to talk everything from her typical coffee order to her favorite kids movie and entertaining guilty pleasure!

If There Were More Hours in the Day

I would paint. I have a little studio in Charleston that I can only currently sneak away to on the weekends.

Before Kids, I Never Thought I Would

Have so much fun!

Favorite Kids Movie

The original Fantasia.

On My Nightstand

Currently a palo santo stick, Tubereuse Diptyque candle, an alligator carved from malachite, Bringing Up Bebe and Moms on Call. Our second daughter is due in a month, so I’m taking a refresher course on newborns.

Favorite Kids Book

Ferdinand the Bull. If only we could all pass the days under a tree smelling the flowers!

Always in My Fridge

Hot sauce! Crystal is my favorite.

Ideal Date Night

Fortunately, I’m married to an avid sailor. Sailing around the harbor until dusk with a bottle of wine from Graft and decadent cheese from Goat Sheep Cow.

Favorite Local Shop

Second State, formerly Black Tap. It’s intimate and airy, and the cute surfer/skater baristas are always playing cool music that I end up Shazam-ing.

Typical Coffee Order

Hot black with a dollop of the most fattening, heavy cream they have on hand.

Can’t Stop Listening

Arthur Russell.

Favorite Local Restaurant

A bar seat at FIG or the Ordinary. We are spoiled in Charleston.

Pregnancy Cravings

Any treat by my favorite local bakery, the Harbinger.

Last Book I Read

The biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. And I just finished reading the final version of In Polite Company by my sister Gervais Hagerty. I read through many, many drafts and I’m so proud of her!

My Wardrobe Staples

One of my charm necklaces and stacks of fun beaded bracelets. Worn with a classic striped breton shirt (oversized) and vintage Levi’s (Re/Done).

Guilty Pleasure

This is weird, but I love watching Home Shopping Network sometimes. Whether selling makeup, kitchenware, or tunics, it’s utterly fascinating to watch the hosts in action. They could sell a fur coat to a polar bear.

Favorite Childhood Memory

Climbing walls, scaling trees, and running barefoot through the historic neighborhood where I grew up in Charleston.

Signature Scent

Gardenia by Penhaligon.

Growing Up, I Wanted to Be

A fashion designer, so I guess I’m not too far off!

Apps I Use Most

For work: Shopify, Instagram, Colorstory (photo editing), Password Keeper, Later.

For personal: Workouts by Melissa Wood Health, Podcasts, and Spotify.

Show’s I’m Watching Right Now

Gardener’s World on BBC. Monty Don, his gardens, and golden retrievers are dreamy. Also, Quintessence on YouTube.

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You’ll also want to check out these 20 Questions with Evening Star Baby founder Weston Townsend or stick around and read our Fall Issue with fellow Charleston mom Julia Berolzheimer.