Unlike 99.9% of new models, the beautiful Erin Heatherton (nee Erin Heather Bubley) wasn't discovered at the mall. Having escaped from suburban Chicago for a vacation, Erin was first approached by model scouts on South Beach and, at 17, She was the proud owner of her first modeling contract with the Marilyn Agency. Now in New York and threatening to become one of modeling's many centers of attention, Erin Heatherton found it challenging to relate to the much older people who surrounded her. That said, she overcame this challenge by enjoying the perks of the industry that she wouldn't otherwise have at a young age -- you know, like staying in first-class hotels, eating first-class meals and seeing exotic places.

In her first two years of modeling, beautiful girl gained some key allies, starting with Diane von Furstenberg, who hired her for her first runway show in the fall of 2006. Within a year, this sexy model also caught the eye of Michael Kors, who featured her in sunglasses and luggage for his travel-themed Michael ad campaign. Erin also gained prominent magazine exposure with editorials in Interview, the British version of Elle, and a cover shot for Italy's D. By the end of 2007, Erin Heatherton had been recognized by WWD and Elle.com as a model to watch and she was only just getting started.