Photography: Lauren Alexis Rodriguez

1. Being a model for over two decades, did you ever think you would become an ambassador for uniquely female scars? How did this shift in your modeling focus make you feel at the beginning to how you feel now?

I never imagined I would have a platform representing something so meaningful as this but it’s truly an honor! In the beginning when I was getting back to work after having my son, I was struggling to find my place and had many insecurities as well because I didn’t just “bounce back” as it was expected of me. This year I was given the opportunity to show what was once my biggest insecurity in one of the most influential magazines in the world, which was liberating and made me realize I was not alone. So many women reached out to me and told me they were also struggling and having a similar experience, yet no one was talking about it. This empowered me to do more and allowed me the responsibility of helping to normalize these stigmas in society. It opened my eyes in a new way and I learned sometimes we go through things for a bigger purpose. I believe when you turn your pain into a purpose you experience healing. I’m truly proud of my scars now and not afraid to show them.

2. You mentioned in your press release that you had a birthing plan to make your pregnancy smooth along with all of your work responsibilities. What was your initial reaction to finding out that you were pregnant? Did you feel nervous at all that this would impact the direction of your career? Or was this addition to your family something you had prepared for a while and hoped for?

I was so excited when I found out I was pregnant, however not long after I began to question how it would impact my career. I didn’t want to tell my agent right away, as there’s a stigma in this industry that once you’re pregnant it can be a liability on set or that you won’t fit the clothing, and so on. I couldn’t quit working, so I was definitely nervous mixed with so many other emotions over what was to come. However, I was 37 and felt the timing was right. I also knew it was a blessing to become a mom, so I am very thankful.

3. How did your collaboration with ESTAS Beauty start? How did you get involved in the #ScarLoveChallenge project?

ESTAS beauty saw the post on Sport’s Illustrated Swim’s Instagram, and they reached out to offer me one of their scar kits. I had never heard of the brand but loved what they stood for. They are all about loving your scars rather than getting rid of them, so I sent them a thank you for the products and right away told them I wanted to collaborate as a way to give back. I suggested the challenge after seeing the number of DMs I received from people all over the world saying how much this post empowered or encouraged them. I then thought to myself how much more it would empower people if they could come to a place to see 100’s or 1000’s of people loving on their scars. I didn’t want to limit it to just c-section scars either as I wanted everyone to feel welcome. After some research we came up with #ScarLoveChallenge and we connected with World of Children to donate $1 for every post that uses the hashtag.

4. How do you feel about being the face of the #ScarLoveChallenge? How does it make you feel that you are having this impact on other women participating in the challenge and sharing their scars with others?

I am so thankful to be a part of this challenge because this is truly for everyone, and my hope is no matter where you’re at in your journey you can have it as a resource that will always be there. You can make a post and maybe even connect with some of the other people there, or you can just look through to feel encouraged and reminded that you are not alone. This challenge is important to me as I know what it’s like to not have any help or an outlet when I was going through a long recovery not only physically but mentally. I knew that needed to change and am grateful to be a part of that.

5. What were the thoughts running through your head when you went home that night and made the first bracelet that would launch your jewelry line? Was jewelry-making something you were always interested in?

I love to create and always enjoy recreating things that I couldn’t find in a store, but I never imagined having a brand of my own. I always thought starting a business would be so complicated, but to my surprise everything just fell into place easily. The day I decided to make my first bracelet, and I really don’t even know why, but I asked my manager at the restaurant where I worked at the time if he wanted another bracelet to add to this already massive stack he was wearing. I always had a sense of style and love fashion, but I never had an interest in making jewelry long-term and definitely thought it would be a one-time thing. However, it didn’t take long for 100’s of people to start requesting the bracelets just from word of mouth and seeing customers wearing them. Soon after I got into my first retail store called BASE on Lincoln Road in Miami, FL that was the catalyst of my brand today. I still have some of the first bracelets I made, and I have come a long way from those first designs, but it’s a great reminder of where I started and how much people loved them. It truly was a God-given talent inside of me I didn’t know I had. So, I always encourage people to try new things because you never know what could come of it.

6. Can you tell me more about HÜES as a brand? What type of jewelry does HÜES specialize in making?

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 a homophone for my last name Hughes was perfect by definition. We specialize in our 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. Customization is one of the core values of the brand since it started via word of mouth with most of the orders being custom, which made the brand stand out in comparison to others. Everything is made in Miami, FL and being that it is not mass produced we are able to offer this unique service for our customers. We also offer all of our bracelets in kid/baby sizes, and we have matching sets such as “Link’d together” with his and hers pieces. You can see more of our jewelry at www.byhues.com or on Instagram @byhues!

7. What was going through your head when you realized that being in labor was not going as planned? What do your cesarean scars mean to you now?

I had a very clear birth plan; however, I ended up in a long labor which can cause many complications. The doctors knew I was willing to try almost anything before I would be willing to do a c-section. I knew a c-section would require a longer recovery time and I would have a scar, so due to my career I was trying to avoid it. I was 7cm dilated and the doctor said if I didn’t dilate to 8cm in the next hour we had to do a c-section. This was so disappointing but as much as I wanted to hold to my plan, after 36 hours I realized that I could put my son in danger out of my stubbornness. It was truly my first lesson in motherhood. My scars (c-section and 2 drainage scars) mean so much to me now and are a daily reminder of the strength I have in motherhood and that I can get through anything.