NIKI TAYLOR Hand Signed New Designer Watch Supermodel

Modeling career

When she was 13, Niki signed with Irene Marie Models in South Florida. There she met photographer Jean Renard, who became her manager. She subsequently won a Fresh Faces contest in New York City and a $500,000 modeling contract.

She began professional modeling at the age of 14. Two years later Niki was a teen millionaire and president of her own company, Niki, Inc.

Niki's first magazine cover was an issue of Seventeen (August 1989) at the age 14. The following year, at 15, she graced the cover of Vogue. Her official website, nikitaylor.com and numerous articles and television shows profiling Niki, claim that she was the youngest model ever to appear on the cover of Vogue. However, the record belongs to Brooke Shields, who was 14 years and 9 months old when her February 1980 issue came out. Cover photos and layouts, however, can be taken weeks or even months prior to publication. Monika Schnarre, who won (Eileen Ford) Ford's "Supermodel of the World" contest in 1985, was 14 years and 11 months old when her April 1986 issue of VOGUE was published. Even without that distinction, Niki has over 400 worldwide magazine covers. In May 1996, she set a record by appearing on the cover of the six major American women's fashion and fitness magazines in the same month: Allure, Vogue, ELLE, Marie Claire, Self, and Shape. They have become known as the "Niki Six."

In 1991, she was named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, wearing a bright orange one-piece bathing suit with long, lime-green gloves on the beach.

In 1992, Taylor became the first spokesmodel under 18 to sign a major contract with CoverGirl and she became a feature in their national advertising campaign. Some of her other ad campaigns have been for Liz Claiborne; Nokia; Ellen Tracy; L'Oréal; GAP, Lee Jeans; Rampage clothes, and Pantene. Taylor also simultaneously had six enormous billboards in NYC's Times Square, for Liz Claiborne.

She appeared in the 1997, 1998 and 1999 editions of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, as well as on the 1998 cover of its swimsuit calendar.

Taylor is signed to New York Model Management.

 Business Ventures

Outside of modeling, Taylor was once an interviewer for segments of the syndicated program, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. She also covered events for NBC and guest-hosted MTV's Fashionably Loud.

In the late 1990s, it was announced that Niki would work on a line of clothing, bearing her name, for Target. After only a few pieces, the line was suddenly dropped.

Niki also appeared in Keith Urban's "Somebody Like You" music video in 2002. Niki and Keith dated quietly from 2002-2004. There appears to be no paparazzi photos of them together.

In July 2005, Niki Taylor opened a clothing store, Abbie and Jesse's, in Franklin, Tennessee with her manager and friend Lou Taylor (no relation). The store was named after Niki and Lou's dogs.

In the fall of 2005, Niki launched her first fragrance, "Begin by Niki Taylor." She also founded the Begin Foundation for the Advancement of Women in Business. Niki introduced the finalists on friend and co-Cover Girl spokesmodel Tyra Banks talkshow in 2007.

Niki and male supermodel Tyson Beckford co-hosted the new Bravo series Make Me A Supermodel. It premiered on January 10, 2008. Although the show was renewed for a second season, Taylor will not return as co-host, probably due to the fact that Niki expects a baby daughter sometime in March 2009. Instead, little-known Australian model Nicole Trunfio will be taking Niki's place.