Behind the most talked about causes in the nation stands Marta Bloom, whose generosity shapes cultural and charitable landscapes, turning personal conviction into lasting impact.
When Marta Bloom arrives, all eyes are on her. After a dynamic international modeling career, she was cast as the host of Hollywood On Top in Los Angeles, where she interviewed stars galore, attracting a Nielsen-rated 30+ million viewers per month. “Staying grounded requires the coordination of head and heart,” she says. “It’s a combination of having the self-confidence that can only come from years of experience dealing with opportunity and challenge, and the self-respect that comes from finding success in highly competitive arenas.”
Her big break came unexpectedly at a young age when she gave her roommate a lift to an audition for a photoshoot with a famous photographer. An assistant noticed Marta in the waiting room and cast her on the spot. Two days later, she found herself in New York, signed to a major agency and in front of the lens ofFabrizio Ferri, one of the most influential photographers of the time. They wasted no time in putting her to work — she flew directly to Paris and began her modeling career, first in print for international fashion magazines, and eventually on the runway for a broad range of brands and designers.
A dynamic international career brings with it a global perspective. After living throughout the U.S. and around the world, every place she’s immersed herself in has positively affected her style. “Each city has its own tempo, its own feel,” she says. “New York taught me sophistication, Los Angeles taught me flair, Milan and Paris taught me style, London taught me posh, San Francisco taught me bohemia, and Miami…it brings the heat!”
A glimpse into her closet reveals a passion for self-expression combined with a respect for the history of fashion. While she has her share of iconic designers including Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, McQueen, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Hermès, she also has plenty of pieces from emerging newcomers. “I’m not a dedicated shopaholic,” she says.“I’m more of a showstopper than a name-dropper!” For her, there is a difference between style and fashion. “Style is a person’s unique connection to the universe. It is eternal,” she says. “Fashion’s greatest power is to draw attention. A performance in motion. A walk down a runway. A singular moment of impression. A visual statement.”
A cornerstone of her life, her affinity for helping others led her to develop what she calls a “Cause For Causes” to support a wide range of initiatives including Planet Hope with her longtime friends, actress Sharon Stone and Kelly Stone. She’s also worked toward finding a cure for lupus, earning her and her husband the Daniel J. Wallace Founder's Award. Throughout the years, she has also supported Race To Erase MS, Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish, Voices For Children and Big Dog Ranch Rescue, and serves as the Miami Chairwoman for Girls On Rolls. Her philanthropic efforts have not gone unnoticed: she's received the Miami Women Who Rock Fifty Shades of Pink RockStar Award and the Angels For Humanity Angel of Hope Award, for her work with the organization’s Tea For A Cause, widely celebrated as one of the premier events of the social season, advancing the charity’s mission of helping children grow and prosper in Florida and across Latin America. “I want to inspire women to believe that they can accomplish anything and make a difference,” she says. “I want them to see that they are uniquely qualified to make the world a better place.”
Her philanthropic life also includes endless luncheons, brunches, galas and fundraisers, where she loves to connect with good people around a great cause. “I try to go above the air kisses and red carpets and really get to know people,” she says. “I come alive when a room is full. I flow on the energy, and I return it in spades.” But there is more to her than meets the eye. “What you look for in others is a mirror of what you seek yourself, and I want that reflection to be bold, bright and beautiful,” she says. “I hope to help bring out the best in others and, in that process, bring out the best in myself.”
Today, she is hard at work launching her next chapter. She continues to walk the runway, most recently during New York Fashion Week, and is currently developing a new television pilot. “There is no power greater than the power you have inside yourself at this moment,” she says. “Do not let the world define you. You have the power to define yourself. You dictate your future and the opportunities are endless.”; AngelsForHumanity.org.
Words Anja Maltav | Photos Ezequiel De La Rosa