Devon Aoki

Devon Edwenna Aoki is an American model and actress who gained international recognition in fashion and film. Born on August 10, 1982, she grew up in New York City, Malibu, California, and London, England, where she attended The American School in London. Her father was Rocky Aoki, a former wrestler and founder of the Benihana restaurant chain, and her mother is Pamela Hilburger, a jewelry designer. She has an older sister, a younger brother, and four half-siblings, including musician Steve Aoki. She is also the aunt of model and singer-songwriter Yumi Nu.

Aoki began modeling at age 13 after being introduced to Kate Moss by her godmother. She made her runway debut in 1997, walking for brands such as Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons, and Chanel. In 1998, at 16 years old, she succeeded Naomi Campbell as the face of Versace. During her career, she walked for prominent designers including Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Jean Paul Gaultier, Celine, Baby Phat, and Marc Jacobs. She appeared in advertising campaigns for brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Hugo Boss, L'Oreal, Lancome, and Tiffany & Co.

Throughout her career, Aoki appeared on the covers of major international fashion publications, including American Vogue, Germany Vogue, Russia Vogue, Japan Vogue, and Korea Vogue, as well as Numéro Tokyo. Her work has been featured on the covers of Ocean Drive, Vegas, Nylon, i-D, Interview, Elle Girl, Wonderland, Cosmo Girl, Jalouse, Russh, 10 Magazine, Voce, Harper's Bazaar, and Her World. In 2006, she posed for photographer Leslie Kee's charity photo-book Super Stars to support victims of the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster. In September 2007, she designed the Levi's +D capsule collection for the Asian market, featuring denim and swimwear.

Aoki expanded into acting in the early 2000s. She appeared in feature films including 2 Fast 2 Furious in 2003, D.E.B.S. in 2004, Sin City in 2005, DOA: Dead or Alive in 2006, War in 2007, Mutant Chronicles in 2008, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead. She also made brief appearances in the documentary films I'll Sleep When I'm Dead and Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer. She retired from full-time film acting in 2009 to focus on motherhood.

Models.com recognizes Aoki as an icon in the fashion industry, and she has been highlighted by publications such as Dazed, Marie Claire, L'Officiel USA, and i-D for her impact on fashion. After taking time away, she returned to the runway for Moschino in 2017 and walked for Jeremy Scott in 2018. Her subsequent work included campaigns for Sephora x Moschino, Nordstrom, Swarovski, and Moschino Fragrance, as well as editorials for American Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Aoki is married to James Bailey, with whom she has one son and three daughters. She has also participated in charitable events, including modeling for a General Motors charity show in 2004 and co-chairing the 2018 Red Cross Gala in San Francisco with her half-brother Steve.