Instead of tottering off into non-cute obscurity, some celebrity babies are all grown up and making waves in the fashion world.

More pedigreed offspring are treading the runways of late.

Last month, Alexandra Richards, the 21-year-old model-DJ daughter of The Rolling Stone's guitarist Keith Richards, was announced as the co-presenter and star of Spanish fashion brand Mango's interactive website whatshouldiwearbymango.com.

ALEXANDRA RICHARDS, 21

Spawn of: Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and former Calvin Klein model Patti Hansen. Debut: Modelled for Tommy Hilfiger in October 2002. Portfolio: Has since appeared in shoots by the likes of Annie Leibovitz, Craig McDean and Mario Testino in Vogue, Glamour, Vanity Fair and ID magazines. Unique Selling Point: Her snub-nosed, slightly pugnacious rock star attitude. Model quote: 'I get really insecure. And I'll say to Theodora (her sister), 'What does this look like on me? Does it look bad? Does this make my butt look big?'' Off the runway: She's also an artist and DJ. She dated James Jagger, Mick Jagger's son, for a brief period around 2004.

Her elder sister Theodora, 23, has also graced the covers of Vogue, Glamour and W, before being named one of American pop culture e-zine PaperMag's Beautiful People of 2007 list.

Luminous Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann, 25, the daughter of Italian actress-model Isabella Rossellini and former-model Jon Wiedemann, followed in her mother's footsteps to become the face of French beauty brand Lancome in 2006.

Sultry Danielle Riley Keough, 18, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and musician-actor Danny Keough has modelled for Dolce & Gabbana, Dior and Victoria's Secret.

On the lads' side, long-haired, sullen-chic Tuki Brando - the 18-year-old grandson of Marlon Brando - has been filling out tuxedos nicely for Versace menswear.

Good-looking celebrity offspring in the fashion world are nothing new, of course. The Beatles' Paul McCartney begot daughter Stella, 36, who has gone on to make a name for herself in the world of haute couture.

Not to be outdone, The Rolling Stone's frontman Mick Jagger sired model-turned-jewellery designer Jade Jagger, 36, and model-actress Elizabeth Jagger, 24.

Lesser-known Little Stones include Ronnie Wood's son Jesse and Leah, who are both former models.

Bijou Phillips, daughter of John Phillips of The Mamas And The Papas and South African model Genevieve Waite, began modelling at the age of 13 for Calvin Klein. The wild child went on to appear on the cover of Vogue as one of its youngest ever faces. Now 27, Phillips has moved on to both a solo music and film career.

Fashion's obsession with unearthing rock royalty for its ad campaigns continue unabated.

The Burberry spring/summer 2008 advertisements, shot by Mario Testino, feature a new generation of Brit faces, including Bryan Ferry's son, Merlin, 17, and Sting's daughter, Coco Sumner, 16.

Incidentally, record labels are reportedly warring to sign on I Blame Coco (formerly Coco And The Ladyboys), the pop band fronted by Sumner.

Just as good looks can be an inherited commodity (Tuki was cut out of Brando's US$20 million will, but got his dark eyebrows, Roman nose and sensual lips), so can fame. The allure of a famous last name often means more column inches in the press, giving a boost to fledgling careers.

Some people may argue that being weaned on paparazzi flashlights may create in Junior the same hunger for VVIP attention that their parents are used to.

But celebrity children get a fast track to the big time simply because they are already there. After all, entertainment industry movers and shakers, such as record producers, casting agents and fashion designers, come around to dinner all the time. And being surrounded by eminent family friends can often serve to influence and inspire.

Of course, not all celebrity children are created equal. Some have what it takes, while others fizzle out or display scant talent. Still others get stuck in the famous-for-being-famous phase.

Rod Stewart's daughter Kimberly Stewart, 28, may have modelled for Tommy Hilfiger and Australian underwear brand Antz Pantz. But making the tabloids for her exploits with Paris Hilton et al, she has been less successful getting her acting, fashion design and music career off the ground.

Backlash, of course, is inevitable. The trend has even got its own heated Internet forum thread, titled 'Sick of people who only get famous because of who their parents are?', on www.digitalspy.co.uk.

Nevertheless, the pool of famous offspring will always be there to be tapped, thanks to the multiple marriages and high libidos of the rich and famous.

Suri, Shiloh and Brooklyn: Better start practising that catwalk now.

OFFSPRING OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS

ELETTRA ROSSELLINI WIEDEMANN, 25	TUKI BRANDO, 18
Spawn of: Actress-model Isabella Rossellini (who is the daughter of legendary Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman and Italian director Roberto Rossellini) and her ex-husband Jon Wiedemann. Debut: When she was 15, a family acquaintance suggested she try modelling. Her first booking was for German Vogue, and an ad campaign for Abercrombie & Fitch soon followed. Portfolio: She was named the spokesmodel for Lancome in 2006 and has shot ads for Salvatore Ferragamo and Bill Blass. Unique selling point: Her Audrey Hepburn- esque gamine spirit and luminous brown eyes. Model quote: 'I'm nothing like my mother. People attach this idea or this legend to me that I have nothing to do with.' Off the runway: The multi-lingual beauty - fluent in French, English and Italian - volunteers in Africa at a centre for elephant conservation.	Spawn of: Film legend Marlon Brando's daughter, Cheyenne. When she was pregnant with Tuki in 1990, her half-brother Christian shot and killed Tuki's father Dag Drollet in a fit of rage. When Tuki was four, his mother hanged herself. He was raised by his grandmother in Tahiti. Debut: In 2006, he appeared on the cover of L'Uomo Vogue and in a 22-page spread inside. Portfolio: Spotted by celebrity photographer Mario Testino in Milan and subsequently hired to be the face of Versace menswear last year. Unique selling point: His surfer-dude image and the pouty lips inherited from The Godfather. Model quote: 'Acting is my grandfather and modelling is me. Even if I wanted to, it would be too hard for me. People would say, 'Ah, he's not as good as his grandfather'.' Off the runway: He plays the guitar and loves to surf.
DANIELLE RILEY KEOUGH, 18	ELIZABETH 'LIZZIE' JAGGER, 23
Spawn of: Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough, making her Elvis and Priscilla Presley's oldest grandchild. Debut: Modelled for Tommy Hilfiger at age 12 and made her runway debut for Dolce & Gabbana in Milan in 2004. Portfolio: She's been the face of David Yurman, plugged Dior perfume and appeared on the cover of Vogue with her mother and grandmother. Unique selling point: The King's sullen, intense stare. Model quote: 'My house did almost burn down and the first thing I saved were my pictures.' Off the runway: She has declared that she would like to be a photographer.	Spawn of: Rolling Stones' frontman Mick Jagger and Texan supermodel Jerry Hall. Debut: 1998, when she modelled for Thierry Mugler next to her mother. Portfolio: Tommy Hilfiger, Lancome and Mango. Unique selling point: Her 1.78m, leggy frame. And, of course, the famous Jagger mouth. Model quote: 'I wasn't particularly interested in fashion when I was seven years old. I wanted to be a ballerina.' Off the runway: She has acted in movies such as Igby Goes Down and was once caught on CCTV having sex in a nightclub.

- PHOTOS: AP, REUTERS

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Mar 6, 2008.