Kelly Emberg was born in Houston, Texas, and attended Stratford High School, where she was a member of the school's female drill team, the Spartanaires. She modeled part-time during high school after being discovered by Alan Martin, a local photographer in Houston who introduced her to John Casablancas, who brought her to New York City to join his new agency Elite Model Management, where her print career took off. She appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour and Cosmopolitan magazines. Her first cover was for British Vogue photographed by Alex Chatelain. She also appeared numerous times in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and in advertisements for Cover Girl cosmetics, Napier Jewelry, and Calvin Klein. After her modeling career, Kelly attended UCLA for three years studying interior design. She worked for interior designer Michael S. Smith and owns The Cotton Box, with a shop on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. Her biggest client is Rod Stewart. Emberg created the interior designs for the guest house on his Los Angeles estate. Kelly's passion for gardening created her current career as Kelly Emberg: The Model Gardener, in which she provides advice, expertise, and enthusiasm, encouraging people to "grow their own" organic veggies. An advocate of wellness through diet, she can be heard on I Heart Radio.American former model best known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and in advertisements for Cover Girl and Calvin Klein.