Sports Illustrated’s First Ever C-Section Model & Founder Of Unisex Jewelry Brand HÜES, Kelly Hughes
Kelly Hughes was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where she started modeling over 20 years ago with Next Models. Along with a successful career modeling, Kelly is also a mother and an entrepreneur. She started her genderless line of jewelry, HÜES in 2009. Today it can be found in high-end boutiques and hotels across the country. However, she will tell you that her most rewarding job and important role is that of being a mother to her 4-year-old son, Harlem. Kelly was most recently featured in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as the first model in the magazine’s history to show her c-section scar which has led her to be an advocate for inclusivity in fashion and for women embracing their scars and loving on their imperfections.
Photographer: Lauren Rodriguez
Hi Kelly! Can you tell us a little about yourself and how your modeling career began?
When I was in high school, I didn't know anything about the fashion industry. However, I was working part-time at a salon, and a makeup artist working there suggested I take some pictures to submit to an agency. This is where it all began. It took some time to break into the business because, at that time, the industry had very specific requirements to even get in the room with specific clients or agents. Thankfully, I got an opportunity to travel to Milan, Italy with an agency and that is when I began modeling full-time.
How was your experience shooting with Sports Illustrated?
When I found out I was confirmed to shoot for Sports Illustrated, I was shocked and so excited. This is every model's dream job and is an opportunity of a lifetime. To find out I was going to be in the magazine after modeling for over 20 years was beyond incredible, and I don’t know if words can truly explain the feeling. However, I realized I was going to show my c-section scar for the very first time, and I have never shown my scar before. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it or how it would be received. I have been very open about the difficult labor I went through and the insecurities I struggled with, but it was truly incredible on our shoot day how MJ Day, the magazine’s Editor-In-Chief, made me feel like my scar was the most beautiful thing in the world. She even said it looked like a smiley face with the 2 drain scars I have above it which made me feel so comfortable on set. I think it was the first time I had felt so happy and confident shooting in a bikini since having my son. Not only was this the most incredible career moment for me to date, but the way it empowered and inspired women all over the world made it so much more meaningful than any photoshoot I've ever done.
What is the #ScarLoveChallenge?
ESTAS Beauty sent me one of their scar kits after seeing my photos in Sports Illustrated. I loved their branding of loving your scars instead of trying to get rid of them, so I told them I wanted to do something with them to give back. I suggested the challenge, #ScarLoveChallenge, because I wanted to empower women from all over the world to love their scars. I thought to myself how incredible it would be for women to come to a place to see hundreds and thousands of people loving on their scars. I didn’t want to place a limit on only c-section scars so everyone would feel welcome. After some research, we came up with the hashtag #ScarLoveChallenge, and we connected with World of Children to donate $1 for every post that uses the hashtag.
I wanted to create a safe place for people to go to no matter where they were on the journey in their life. If you feel ready to join in and do a post, or if you don't feel ready to share, everyone is able to go there and feel encouraged and reminded that you are not alone. I wanted to help as much as I could because I didn’t find any help or an outlet when I was going through a long recovery. Not only physically ,but also mentally and that definitely needed to change.
Photographer: Lauren Rodriguez
How do you use your platform to inspire women struggling with body acceptance?
I use my platform to create honest conversation that starts with acceptance and that is ultimately always focused on healing. I feel that it is most important to include our vulnerabilities and our struggles when sharing our lives on social media and not only show the good parts because people seek out the real moments the most.
How has motherhood influenced your modeling career?
Motherhood immediately influenced the clients I was working with because I was able to work with my son which was an incredible experience. It has also shifted my direction and goals in my career. I realize now that I have a bigger purpose in the fashion industry, to not only to represent womanhood, but motherhood as well. I also want to partner with more female-founded brands.
You founded a unisex jewelry brand, HÜES. What inspired you to launch this company?
It was 2009, and there was a pullback in the economy so I got a second job at a restaurant part-time. I was inspired to make a bracelet for my manager at this job. At first, I thought it was just for fun because I enjoyed making accessories and different arts and crafts, but right after he started wearing it, I started selling hundreds of bracelets just by word of mouth. It was a real-life example of how sometimes you have to take a step back or pivot to be exactly where you need to be to launch into your future. Soon after, I got into my first retail store called BASE in Miami, FL. This was the catalyst of my now successful jewelry line today. So, I always encourage people to try new things because you never know what could come of it.
HÜES is a genderless jewelry brand that consists mostly of bracelets, necklaces and rings. I wanted the brand to be for everyone without limitations, so HÜES, being it’s a take-off my last name Hughes, was perfect by definition. We specialize in Cuban link bracelets, and we are known for our waxed-cotton cord throughout the line with mixed metals. We also make custom orders and have recently added a section on our site called "Made For You". This is one of the core values of the brand and since it started via word of mouth, most of the orders were customized. This was what made it more unique than most other jewelry brands.
What is one piece of advice you would give to women currently struggling with body acceptance?
It's so hard to generalize because we all have different struggles and are in a different place in our journeys. I think society puts a lot of pressure on us to look a certain way or attain this idea of perfection and the reality is that we all have struggles. Your not alone and it is important to give yourself grace and time to heal. I struggled with my postpartum body and it wasn't until I started loving on my scar that I experienced the power in it. I began to see the strength in it instead of seeing the pain. I think that in healing, the most important part is to know how unique you are because there is only one of you in this world, and this is your story. □
Photographer: Lauren Rodriguez
Article Credits
Kelly’s Instagram: @kellyhues
Kelly’s Website: byhues.com
Kelly’s TikTok: @kellyhues
ByHues Instagram: @byhues
Photography Credits
Photographer: Lauren Rodriguez
Photographer Instagram: @Laurenalexis.photo
