Models.com just released their "Money Girls" list recently. The list comprises the industry's top earning models of today. Such a list is not easy to calculate especially because no agency in its right mind is ever going to disclose publicly exactly what its star models earn.

But there is an interesting device you can use to get an estimate.You can take a list of the highest paying clients in fashion, weigh the going rates these clients pay for their contracts and campaigns and then apply it against the body of models employed by those clients. Those power clients form a mercifully short list. They are Victoria's Secret (with the "Angel's contracts setting the standard), Ralph Lauren, cosmetics brands like Estee Lauder, Lancome, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Revlon and Cover Girl as well as the many fragrance contracts in the business. Then there are the instances of big money bookings for jewelry companies, endorsement deals for clothing lines and accessories or the rare case of a clothing company (like Calvin Klein) willing to pay a high-six figure sum for the services of a model.

This list of clients obviously creates a kind of filter for a certain kind of girl. There are catalogue queens who might argue that they make as much if not more than some of the girls on this list, but the cut-off point we used was that a "Money Girl" by our definition was a former or current editorial girl who converted into a multi-million dollar proposition. Here are the top 25:

1. Kate Moss (IMG) 

She's no mere model anymore, or for that matter, simply an icon. Kate Moss is an industry now and quite a money machine at that. The impressive thing about this achievement is that she's managed to become a financial powerhouse while remaining the absolute epitome of editorial cool. H&M clothing line Rimmel Cosmetics contract Donna Karan SS08 YSl SS08 Longchamps SS08 Roberto Cavalli SS08 

 Photo: Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for Yves Saint Laurent SS08

2. Heidi Klum (IMG)

How brilliant! You can do a Heidi Klum write-up from two years ago and every financial fact holds up, if not upgrades! Project Runway with an audience in the millions. Check. A Victoria Secret's contract that Miss Klum has an iron grip on. Check. Her own line of shoes, jewelry and candy. Check. The icon they call Heidi Inc. is no mere sexy mortal this one, but a force of nature. All hail. 

 Photo: Brett Ratner for Jordache

3. Gisele (IMG)

There is no doubt that from Brazil back to Milan, New York, York and over to Germany, Gisele remains of the two financial giants of the industry, capable of moving masses of product to the consumer. From fragrance to sandals to watches, high end clothing to swim wear, La Gisele can rock it all. She's one in a multi-million! Versace SS08 

Photo Testino: Vanity Fair September 07

4. Adriana Lima (DNA)

This Bahia Brazil beauty comes off of 2007 with two big bonanza contracts for Maybelline and Victoria's Secret. You can rest assured the scale of those contracts keep Adriana in the dream club of the industry's most wanted. Plus you always want to keep it in mind that her legendary GQ cover was one of the biggest selling issues of that magazine ever! That's what you call power beauty!
 

Photo: for GQ 

5. Alessandra Ambrosio (Elite NY)

Viva Alessandra Ambrosio! She's one of the few models left who knows how to use her VS contract to platform herself as a multi-media star with magazines covers aplenty and gigs for Armani as well as her TV appearances to keep her market value crackling. That girl knows how to work a moment.

Phone: Stephan Wuerth for GQ, Nov 07 

The others:

25. Coco Rocha (Elite NY)

24. Gemma (IMG)

23. Anja Rubik (Next NY)

22. Jessica Stam (IMG)

21. Natalia Vodianova (DNA)

20. Filippa (New York Models)

19. Shalom (IMG)

18. Liya Kebede (IMG)

17. Hilary (IMG)

16. Julia Stegner (Women)

15. Carmen Kass (Women)

14. Malgosia (Next NY)

13. Izabel (Women)

12. Selita Ebanks (Women)

11. Isabeli Fontana (Women)

10. Valentina (Women)

9. Doutzen (DNA)

8. Carolyn Murphy (IMG)

7. Karolina Kurkova (DNA)

6. Daria Werbowy (IMG)