Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

Model walks runway while breastfeeding daughter at SI Swim Search runway show

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model search finalist model Mara Martin has sparked quite the discussion.

Martin walked the runway at the Paraiso x SI Swimsuit runway show on Sunday with more than just a swimsuit on her body.

The 32-year-old was also carrying and breastfeeding her baby, five-month old Aria, who was wearing a green bikini over her diaper and noise-cancelling headphones.

A post shared by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on


Her appearance was met with applause from the crowd on hand and more support online, but of course she’s had her fair share of criticism as well.

On Monday, Martin took to Instagram to show her appreciation for Sports Illustrated, her supportive fans and the opportunity to be an advocate for woman who want to normalize breastfeeding.

“I can’t believe I am waking up to headlines with me and my daughter in them for doing something I do every day,” she wrote. “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!”

“But to be honest, the real reason I can’t believe it is a headline is because it shouldn’t be a headline!!!”

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 life long 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. 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! But to be honest, the real reason I can’t believe it is a headline is because 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 (sorry i don’t know your IG handle 🤦🏽‍♀️), one woman had a mastectomy (@allynrose), and 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... 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. 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!!! #siswimsearch

A post shared by Mara Martin (@_maramartin_) on


While the support is overwhelming, many critics are calling her appearance a publicity stunt, but the magazine’s editor, M.J. Day, calls it quite the opposite.

Day said the decision wasn’t planned out in advance in any way and was “very spontaneous.”

"When I was talking with the girls backstage prior to the show beginning, I saw that Mara's baby was sleeping and peacefully nursing,” Day explained. “I asked Mara if she would want to walk and continue to nurse.”

A surprised but excited Martin replied that she would love to, and the rest is now history.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to news@kelownanow.com.




weather-icon
Fri
12℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
15℃

weather-icon
Mon
17℃

weather-icon
Tue
16℃

weather-icon
Wed
12℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy