Model Mara Martin walks runway while breastfeeding her 5-month-old daughter
The fashion industry is trying to make a bold statement and we are all here for it! Model Mara Martin walked at the Sports Illustrated Swim Search runway show on Sunday (July 15) while breastfeeding her 5-month-old daughter, Aria. Mara could be spotted rocking a metallic gold bikini, while her daughter wore blue noise canceling headphones and green bathing suit bottoms over a diaper.
However, this was not something that was planned ahead of the show and things took their own course while on the runway. Speaking to Today, J Day, editor of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue said, "Mara was holding her baby and was nursing her. I was like, ‘Do you just want to nurse while you walk down the runway? And she was like, ‘I would love to do that,’”
Mara explained that her daughter was getting hungry and she didn't mind going to the runway while feeding her because it was something that she did every day. It was her dinnertime because the show kept getting pushed back,” she said. “Honestly, I didn’t even think twice about it because I do it every single day.” At the same time, Martin is finding it hard to believe the amount of attention she has been getting ever since she walked the runway with Aria.
Taking to Instagram she noted, " Wow! WHAT A NIGHT! Words can’t even describe how amazing I feel after being picked to walk the runway for @si_swimsuit. Anyone who knows me knows it has been a lifelong dream of mine. I can’t believe I am waking up to headlines with me and my daughter in them for doing something I do every day. It is truly so humbling and unreal, to say the least. "
Mara added that she hopes that one-day people would normalize the idea of breastfeeding. "I’m so grateful to be able to share this message and hopefully normalize breastfeeding and also show others that women CAN DO IT ALL! " Mara also took time to give a shout out to all the other women who also sacrifice their lives for the greater good.
But to be honest, the real reason I can’t believe it is a headline is that it shouldn’t be a headline!!! My story of being a mother and feeding her while walking is just that. Last night there are far more deserving headlines that our world should see. One woman is going to boot camp in two weeks to serve our country," she wrote.
She further added, "another is a cancer survivor, 2x Paralympic gold medalist, as well as a mother herself (@bren_hucks you rock) Those are the stories that our world should be discussing!!!! Just thinking about all that was represented there... " Mara also took time to thank everyone who supported her.
"I desperately need to give the most thanks to @mj_day for this. She supported me in what I did last night. Without her support, this wouldn’t even be discussed!!!! She and the entire Sports Illustrated family are the most amazing and incredible team to have worked with," she wrote.
She concluded the post by adding, "THANK YOU for letting all 16 of us be our true selves, strong beautiful women!!! Because of you, my daughter is going to grow up in a better world, where she will always feel this way!!!!!! Lastly, to every single woman that rocked that runway with me. Be proud. I know I am of you! You all have inspired me in ways unimaginable. I love you all!!!"