FIB’s TOP MODELS Volume 63 – Sexiest Girls: Martha Hunt

The world is full of beautiful people. But being sexy dwarfs beauty — it is more than just a pretty face or nice physique. When you look at the Sexiest Girls we have chosen, you see a common factor: they all own their sexuality. There will always be critics, but being sexy is about having the cheers of admiration drown the whispers of jealousy.

So each week, let FIB give you a glimpse into our upcoming book, TOP MODELS Volume 63 — Sexiest Girls. Be warned, though: some of these women can make Kate Moss jealous.

Photo Credit: Victoria's Secret
Photo Credit: Victoria’s Secret

You might know her as Taylor Swift’s best friend, but Martha Hunt’s outstanding career effortlessly stands alone. With piercing blue eyes and never-ending legs, Hunt is well established as one of the world’s top supermodels.

Born in Wilson, North Carolina on April 27, 1989, it wasn’t until she was 18 years old that Hunt considered modelling. Hunt entered a model search in Charlotte and was discovered by a photographer. Initially signing with a Code Management, Hunt moved to New York and signed with IMG in 2007 as her career rapidly ascended. Hunt made her debut walking for Issey Miyake during Paris Fashion Week, and in 2008 walked in the fall Givenchy couture show. Also in 2008, Hunt featured in British Elle editorials, photographed in the latter by Andrew Woffinden.

Walking for Oscar de la Renta, New York. Photo Credit: The Fashion Spot
Walking for Oscar de la Renta, New York. Photo Credit: The Fashion Spot

2009 saw Hunt as busy as ever, walking for Tracy Reese, J. Mendel, Wayne, and Rebecca Taylor in New York, and featuring in editorials for Harper’s Bazaar and Chinese Vogue photographed by Jason Schmidt and Ben Hasset, respectively. In 2010, Hunt appeared in editorials for Italian Marie Claire, shot by Tiziano Magni, Russian Vogue by Benny Hone, and Harper’s Bazaar, to name a few. She was shot by renown photographers like Eric Guillemain.
The blonde beauty’s sparkling personality and openness makes her an industry favourite. Not many people can say that working with Ralph Lauren feels like working with family, or call Jason Wu a close friend, yet Hunt name drops with complete ease! No doubt this has contributed to her rising fame.

After such a successful beginning in the industry, Hunt was sure eventually to make an appearance for Victoria’s Secret. She first appeared in a VS catalogue in 2012 and made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut in 2013. In 2015 Hunt became an official VS Angel and featured in the Victoria’s Secret Swimsuit Special before walking in the VS Fashion Show again. The lingerie brand is unique in its model requirements, as chief of marketing Ed Razek explained. Victoria’s Secret, rather than looking for the almost angry look of a typical runway model, seek confident, happy women that can support each other and present a positive role-model to the audience. Hunt perfectly encapsulates the Victoria’s Secret image, with her stunning smile and self-assuredness on the runway.

It is impossible to profile Martha Hunt without mentioning her friendship with Taylor Swift. Hunt and Swift bonded as Swift supported Hunt as publicity around the model increased. Called “actual sunshine’ by Swift, Hunt constantly gushes about their girl-dominated group of friends, and appearing the Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ music video. After headlining the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the last two years, Swift and Hunt’s friendship was the source of huge publicity and Hunt became known as the best friend of Taylor Swift, but Hunt’s own stardom lets her stand alone on our list of Sexiest Girls.

Photo Credit: Daily Mail
Photo Credit: Daily Mail

Hunt is very open about the challenges she had faced on her road to modelling. Born with scoliosis, she faced many challenges in childhood, eventually undergoing corrective surgery as a teenager. Whilst still facing difficulties due to scoliosis, Hunt has learnt to manage her condition through a love of exercise, especially surfing. She uses her journey to raise awareness of the scoliosis through the Scoliosis Research Society. She also works with Housing Works that offer support to homeless HIV/AIDS sufferers, and aims to one day start a charity of her own.

In the last two years Hunt has continued her career ascent, appearing in Marie Claire Italia’s December 2014 Issue and becoming the new face of Australian swimwear brand Seafolly, as well has filming the Victoria’s Secret holiday ad and featuring in an editorial for Vogue Spain. In 2015, Hunt, along with fellow Angels Behati Prinsloo and Elsa Hosk appeared in an edgy photoshoot for So It Goes magazine, showcasing Hunt’s adaptability to model just about anything! She also fronted GQ magazine, Allure US, L’Officiel Malaysia, Ocean Drive magazine and Hamptons magazine, with the busy beauty just missing the cut on Forbes annual highest paid models list, making slightly under the 3.5 million minimum. With her career still climbing, she’s sure to make it in the next few years.

Photo Credit: Seafolly
Photo Credit: Seafolly

Keep an eye out for FIB’s upcoming book, TOP MODELS Volume 63 – Sexiest Girls.

Top Models