All photography by Jason McDonald; styling by Raúl Guerrero.
Martha Hunt may be best known for her work on the runway and across the pages of international fashion titles, but what drives this model more than anything is Enuval, the spinal health and research foundation she co-founded in 2020. Between takes on the set at New York’s The Mark for our cover story, Hunt reflects on her breakout season, the designers she admires, and how her personal journey with scoliosis led her to advocate and empower. —Tali Jaffe-Minor
What was the breakout moment in your modeling career?
The Spring/Summer 2013 runways was my “breakout season,” walking for major fashion houses, from Chanel to Prada, and I booked the Miu Miu campaign shortly after. Becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel also boosted my career and visibility.
Greatest lesson learned as an Angel?
Mostly just the discipline it took to work consistently at a high level, whether it be press, photoshoots, commercials with major directors, or runways in lingerie.
Favorite designers at the moment?
Phoebe Philo will be a forever favorite. I love Sarah Burton for powerful femininity, Chemena Kamali’s bohemian Chloé, and Alessandro Michele’s mythic imagination at Valentino.
Balmain long silk charmeuse dress; Isabel Marant zebra-toe pumps; Boucheron gold serpent Bohème earrings; Wolford tights.
Did you have a favorite look from the shoot?
My favorite look was the Etro dress. I felt like a mystic!
Any great skincare tips, or pre-shoot practices that keep you glowing?
I’ve been visiting Iderma Studio in New York for microcurrent facials. I also try to stay hydrated from the inside out.
Your husband shot this story; do you collaborate often?
I enjoy working with Jason because it feels so easy and natural. I have absolute faith in him! We work together from time to time. We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders, but we also encourage working with other collaborators across a vast range of projects.
Favorite pod to listen to on set?
“Women and Mythology” is a favorite. Since we function in a world dominated by male values, recognizing ourselves in feminine stories can give structure to experiences that we may not have a map for.
Victoria Beckham dress; Pomellato Iconica gold-and-diamond necklace and bracelet.
Silvia Tcherassi Frances dress; Boucheron Quatre Classique tie necklaces and pendant earrings; Pomellato Together gold-and-diamond bracelet; Aquazzura Sellier boots.
Let’s talk about Enuval, but first can you tell us about your scoliosis story?
I was around 14 years old when I was diagnosed, and I had spinal fusion surgery when I was 18.
What was your healing journey like at that young age?
I was discharged once I could walk—which took five days! I spent a couple of months at home in North Carolina resting and healing, before moving to New York. Although I was eager to pursue my [modeling] career, I probably could have waited a little longer before spending such long days in high heels.
Tell us about how you met spine surgeon Dr. Sariah Khormaee, the co-founder of Enuval.
We met a decade ago in D.C., advocating for funding at an NIH event. Dr. Khormaee and I naturally bonded over a shared curiosity about ways to advocate for spine research while also empowering and informing patients. It’s exciting to think anyone can contribute to research!
How did you two decide to embark on this major project together?
We started as friends, discussing the scoliosis experiences from the patient’s perspective, and we noticed how passionate scoliosis patients were about sharing their experience to support one another. Eventually we decided to use my social media platform to invite followers to work with us on research projects, essentially going one step beyond patient advocacy.
What are some of the ways Enuval empowers women in the spine health space?
We want to ensure the underrepresented voices shape future health solutions, so by involving these women to help lead research, we prioritize the involvement of those disproportionately affected by conditions like scoliosis to close the gender gap. Ultimately, we encourage ownership of health through knowledge.
Dolce & Gabbana lace balconette bralette, lace dress, and briefs; Zimmermann Valiant shearling coat; David Webb rock crystal-and-black enamel earrings, Twilight cuff, and Dinner Roll necklace, available at Yafa.
What did you learn about scoliosis through your own pregnancy?
While I was pregnant, I was often asked about how scoliosis affected me. Our goal at Enuval is to make existing research more accessible to patients, and to build on the existing literature [on pregnancy and scoliosis] so that it may answer the questions women actually care about. The literature exists, but many struggle to access it due to complex language or paywalls.
What have been some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned about healthcare in other countries?
We have found that patients globally often face enormous barriers to care. In some places, patients may have to purchase their own spinal implants. In some countries, regulatory organizations exist to help evaluate quality, such as the FDA in the US. In other countries, though, there are significant gaps in regulation.
Special thanks to The Mark; Hair by Rei Kawauchi; Makeup by Nadia Tayeh; Nails by Elle Gerstein; Produced by Modern Creative; Stylist Assistants: Angelique Angel, Axel Garcia; Tailoring by Kyle Kasabuske
