4 Groundbreaking Photos of Kelly Hughes, First SI Swim Model to Bare C-Section Scar

The jewelry brand founder and designer was photographed by Fumie Hoppe last year.

Kelly Hughes was photographed by Fumie Hoppe in Miami.Fumie Hoppe/Sports Illustrated

Kelly Hughes made history with her SI Swimsuit appearance last year as the first model to visibly display her cesarean section scar in the magazine. The Florida native, who welcomed son Harlem in 2018, was photographed in her home city of Miami by photographer Fumie Hoppe. 

“I am speechless and so honored to be in @si_swimsuit 2022 as the FIRST woman to expose her c-section scar in magazines history! This partnership with @fridamom #paywithchange partnership to normalize and embrace the changes with a woman’s body especially when becoming a mom is so amazing to be a part of,” she wrote on Instagram at the time of her SI Swimsuit feature. “I struggled with insecurities from my scar being that I’m a model and my incredibly difficult recovery but it wasn’t until I embraced my scar that I experienced the true power in it 💕.”

Hughes is constantly using her platform to share fun fashion and modeling inspo, as well as adorable content with her son. She and Harlem even walked the Miami Swim Week runway together in July at the W South Beach.

The 43-year-old, who is represented by Next Model Management, has been in the industry for more than two decades. She is also the founder and designer of a successful unisex jewelry brand called HÜES, which she started in 2009.

Below are four of our favorite photos from her historic SI Swimsuit photoshoot in Miami.

Fumie Hoppe/Sports Illustrated

Fumie Hoppe/Sports Illustrated

Fumie Hoppe/Sports Illustrated

Fumie Hoppe/Sports Illustrated

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