Devon Aoki by Rodney J. Spicer for Ocean Drive May 2003

Aoki was born in New York City and grew up in California, attending The American School in London in Westminster. Her Japanese American father, Rocky Aoki, a former Olympic wrestler, is the owner and founder of the Benihana restaurant chain. Her mother, Pamela Hilburger, is a jewelery designer of English and German heritage. Her brother, Steve Aoki, is a well-known Los Angeles, California DJ, and is the founder of the Dim Mak Records. Devon also has a sister and half brother Cole Price.

She started modeling when she was 13, the same year Aoki was introduced by her godmother to Kate Mоss, who would later take the young model under her wing. She was signed to Storm Model Management at age 14. In 1998, at the age of 16, Aoki replaced Naomi Campbell as the face of Versace.