To some, she is Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend. To others, she is Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit covergirl. To Urban, however, Bar Refaeli is the model who made a cover snap a snip - the pictures of the glowing Israeli model that you see here and on the cover were nailed in under 15 minutes.

The 23-year-old blonde bombshell showed her professionalism by turning it on for the camera despite hitches along the way.

The face of Israeli casualwear label Fox, she was in town last Friday for the brand's fifth anniversary celebration and the unveiling of its sleek new logo.

She had arrived on the red-eye flight from New York just hours before the interview and photo shoot at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, but was unaware of the photo call due to some miscommunication.

She grew slightly flustered when she found out about the photo shoot and was seen consulting her mother Tzipi, who is also her manager.

Once in front of the lens, however, she was a natural, suggesting camera angles and ending with a wide grin and a bright 'thank you'.

It is a business that the second of four siblings - she has three brothers aged 33, 22 and 12 - practically grew up in.

Her mother took her to commercial castings as a baby and she clinched her first job at just eight months old.

Her portfolio today easily puts her in the super league: Victoria's Secret catalogue girl, Marks & Spencer campaign girl, as well as covers for top glossies such as Elle, GQ Italy and Maxim, just to name a few.

Yet, the 1.75m-tall beauty with piercing blue eyes politely corrected Urban when we called her a top model.

'I wouldn't call myself a top model, just a good model who gets jobs,' she said.

Her bubbly, relaxed manner added to her charm.

Despite the jet lag, she would smile or nod at whoever she passed.

She disarmingly admitted to having no beauty regimen and shared that, because of her jetsetting lifestyle, she usually suffers from breakouts for half a week.

'I simply make sure I clean my face every night and don't wear make-up when I don't have to.'

Which probably explains why she asked for 'very light' make-up at the shoot, even turning down some lip colour.

Then there is that body that landed her on the highly coveted cover of Sports Illustrated magazine's Swimsuit edition in January.

This annual special edition of the popular American sports magazine is a money-spinner for the publication.

Its past cover girls, who include Elle Macpherson and Christie Brinkley, are known to gain instant babe status and a fast track to fame.

Refaeli herself has seen her post-coverage career soar, literally: Her bikini-clad image was plastered across one of Southwest Airline's Boeing 737 planes in February.

She reportedly boasts a D-cup bosom and online resource Wikipedia has her vital statistics as a shapely 35-24-35.

She said of her curvy figure: 'I'm proud that I'm able to eat and still be considered a good model who gets jobs.

'It's very important today when girls are turning anorexic for the sake of beauty. It's a dangerous problem and I'm glad to be able to show another side (of beauty).'

As for the future, she wants to 'try everything' from designing clothes and jewellery to film production work. 'I have lots of ideas and am very creative,' she said firmly.

On what it is like to date 34-year-old DiCaprio, one of Tinseltown's most eligible bachelors whom she reportedly met at a Las Vegas party in 2005, she replied with a grin: 'Try it. Only I know (what it's like) and I'm not going to talk about it.'

With such charm, who cares about Leo? Urban chatted with this Foxy lady about life as a bombshell and beyond.

You have modelled for the likes of Fox and American surfwear brand Hurley. Do you feel typecast as a commercial, mass-label model?

I'm not very skinny or extremely tall and I have boobs. It's hard to do high fashion when you are not a toothpick but I prefer to do this than starve myself just to model. The nature of commercial shoots is also more me - I like to smile, jump around and be lively.

You have been the Fox campaign girl for the past year. How do you identify with the brand?

There is a natural connection. I feel most comfortable and sexy in jeans and a tee, so what the brand sells is what I would wear normally. I also love the burst of colour in the designs.

What has been your best experience modelling for Fox?

Apart from shooting in locations like Miami, I've also enjoyed working with (male campaign model) Noam (Toor). I usually work alone on shoots but with him around, things get a lot more lively and dynamic. We've grown to become good friends. He should have won Survivor Israel.

What are three essential items in your wardrobe?

A men's button-down shirt which looks great thrown over jeans or leggings and is comfortable for flights. I don't usually like wearing clothes that are too figure-hugging. I'll also go for a leather jacket, which is classic yet has a rock 'n' roll vibe, and jeans because they are what I'm most comfortable in and they go with everything.

You asked for very light make-up for the photo shoot whereas most celebrities would ask to have it piled on. Why so?

When it is a shoot that is supposed to show the real me, I prefer less make-up and for it to be more natural-looking because I'm comfortable in my own skin. I have nothing to hide so I don't see the need to cover anything.

What are your three beauty must-haves?

An eyelash curler, which I find an ingenious contraption. When I go out at night, all I use is an eyelash curler and put on some mascara and blush. I don't like wearing eyeliner or even lipstick. I also need my facial wash which I get from Shiseido and moisturiser, which I usually get from Lancome or Dior - products necessary for keeping my skin clean.

What has your bombshell image done for your career?

It has done only good. It's no secret that getting onto the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit gives a big lift to your career - everyone recognises you. I've actually dreamt about it since I was 15. When you say bombshell, it also refers to a more voluptuous girl and I'm proud that I can show girls that you can eat and still become a good model.

Who is your role model?

I don't exactly aspire to be like anyone else. I much prefer to lead my own path. I do admire models like Heidi Klum and Cindy Crawford, though. They are huge names who took time out to have a family, which I think is very important, yet continue to have successful careers.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.