huntington-whiteley remained unknown outside the fashion industry until 2008, when she was cast by chief creative director christopher bailey, replacing agyness deyn for burberry's autumn/winter campaign with actor sam riley. she got her first "british vogue" cover on the november 2008 issue, alongside eden clark and jourdan dunn in a feature celebrating british models. the following year, she was featured as the face of karen millen's spring/summer 2009 advertising campaign. she starred in a short film for agent provocateur lingerie playing a woman whose boyfriend forgets valentine's day.