When Genetics Goes Right

Adriana Lima
This Brazilian beauty was discovered while shopping at a local mall at the age of 13. She's probably best known for her work with Victoria's Secret. As of 2007, she is the world's fourth-highest paid supermodel.

Coco Rocha
The B.C. native caught the eye of a talent scout while she was Irish dancing at the age of 14. She grabbed the attention of the fashion world when she danced down the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier. She is the face of YSL, Elle perfume, and graces the covers of several major fashion magazines at any given time.

Izabel Goulart
Yet another Brazilian beauty, Izabel used to be made fun of for her skinny build, and was even called names such as 'giraffe' in school. Those bullies are surely eating their words now, since she models for such A-list designers as Balenciaga, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Chanel, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Stella McCartney.

Daria Werbowy
The Ukranian-born, Canadian-raised model is one of the top models in the world today. The 25-year-old stars in major beauty and fashion campaigns such as Lancome, and walks for all the major fashion houses, like Chanel and Hermes.

Bar Rafaeli
Best known as Leonardo DiCaprio's now-ex-girlfriend, this Israeli stunner has been modelling and acting since she was 8 months old. She debuted as a 'real' model in the 2007 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, becoming the first Israeli model to appear in the magazine.

Ana Beatriz Barros
Ana and her older sister, Patricia (also a model), were walking on a Rio beach when they were spotted by a representative from Elite Model Management. Things have been gravy ever since. She's most recognizable as the recent face of Guess!.

Kate Moss
It's amazing that Kate can still make a list like this, even as she approaches 20 years in the business. It's unheard of that someone with her tenure can still secure countless advertising campaigns, and still be sought after for runway shows. Kate is untouchable.

Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra knew she wanted to be a model by the time she was 5. She had surgery when she was 11 years old to have her ears pinned back, and ended up having complications for the following two years. Any suffering was worth it, though, as she's now "the future of the modelling world," as Tyra Banks has put it.

Jessica Stam
'The Stam', as fashion insiders refer to her, is a model wunderkind, having been discovered at a Tim Horton's. She shot to stardom, quickly becoming one of the highest-paid models today. She currently stars in ads for Dior and Dolce and Gabbana, and can be seen in nearly every single runway show by major designers.

Natalia Vodianova
Nicknamed 'Supernova', this Russian beauty worked her way through modelling classes and managed to learn English in 3 months. Once she was made the face of Gucci, her career skyrocketed. She is married and has three children.