Bal Harbour

behind the scenes 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. 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. Favorite designer(s) 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. Before we get to Enuval, 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. 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. 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 spine health and research foundation she co-founded in 2020. Between takes on set at New York's The Mark for our cover story, "On the Hunt," (page 162), Hunt reflects on her breakout season, the designers she admires, and how her personal journey with scoliosis led her to advocate and empower. BY TALI JAFFE-MINOR PHOTOS BY NUALA VIZARD on set FROM ABOVE Martha Hunt and crew on New York's Upper East Side; the shot list in progress; looks on the go, including a crimson Silvia Tcherassi gown; and the adored Lizzy and Tulip at The Mark's lobby bar. 64 64 BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M

• Cover