She was raised in an animal-loving household with many dogs alongside her older sister Jeanette, who currently works in film production.

In high school, Stegner discovered a passion for playing basketball, and eventually she joined a club team in Munich.

Being 182 centimetres tall by that time, she was naturally fit for the sport; her classmates even called her "Beanpole" because of her towering height.

[2] She was eventually signed by Supreme Management and, within four months, she opened the fall 2003 Yves Saint Laurent show and then was part of the advertising campaign photographed shot by Craig McDean.

By the summer 2004, Stegner had done advertisement work for Celine, Yves Saint Laurent,[7] Dolce & Gabbana,[7] Ralph Lauren,[7] and Dior.

Stegner has appeared in a 2005 campaign for French fashion house Chloé and shows such as Anna Sui, Shiatzy Chen, Lanvin, Gucci, Versace and Valentino.