Admittedly, there are very few renowned Asian models in the modeling world today compared to their Caucasian, African-American and Latino contemporaries. But with the increasing popularity of high fashion and the booming economies of such Asian countries as China and Japan, it will soon follow that the demand for models of Asian descent will rise too.

Actually, some Asian women have already blazed the trail for future oriental models as early as two decades ago.

In the 1980s, Anna Bayle, a model from the Philippines, was regarded as the first Asian supermodel. She has worked with all the major designers from Europe, and considered one of the top ten models of the world, along with such names as Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista. Then there was half-Korean and half-black model Kimora Lee, who in the late 80s has become a self-professed muse for Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld.

The early 90s saw Yasmeen Ghauri, a Canadian model of Pakistani and German descent, do modeling jobs for Hermes, Versace, Victoria’s Secret and Givenchy, and opened the door for other South Asian-looking models to try their luck in the business. Siberian model Irina Pantaeva also rose to fame during this period, and her very Asian features have been prominently featured in a slew of advertising campaigns for such clothing firms as Levi’s and Gap.

A new generation of models has picked up where the above models left off. Of these younger Asian models, perhaps the best known is Devon Aoki, a Japanese-German-British model. At 5’5”, she is regarded as the world’s shortest supermodel, but has nevertheless worked for the fashion houses Lancôme, Chanel, and Versace. She also dabbles in acting, having appeared in a number of Hollywood films, including 2 Fast 2 Furious, Sin City and Dead or Alive.

Soon enough, a number of Asian models have also made quite an impact on the modeling world. There’s Indian model Ujjwala Raut, Japanese model Ai Tominaga, and Korean-American Hye Rim Park. Between them, they have done modeling work for major fashion houses ranging from Banana Republic to Christian Dior.

So while the modeling industry is still predominantly black and white, it cannot be denied that there is a place for Asian models in this highly competitive industry. Let’s just hope that other Asian models on the rise such as Du Juan, Aline Nakashima, Juliana Imai and Anne Watanabe can carry the torch lighted by Anna Bayle and the others.

Times have indeed changed.

It’s heartening to see that along with typical fair-skinned beauties such as Scarlett Johansson, Julia Roberts, Heather Locklear and Nicole Kidman, such actresses and models as Halle Berry, Naomi Campbell, Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek, Kelly Hu and Jessica Alba are now being regarded as among the most beautiful women in the world.

It wasn’t always that way, but in today’s world of growing racial tolerance, models and actresses of African, Latin American and Asian descent are slowly but surely finding their own place under the sun. Needless to say, ethnic models are taking over the modeling world by storm.

Of course, two of the world’s most legendary and enduring supermodels are Black: the aforementioned Naomi Campbell, and Tyra Banks. The former has been modeling for the past 21 years, while the latter has gone on to hosting America’s Next Top Model and her own talk show. Whatever people say about them, these two are real trailblazers, paving the way for the likes of Alek Wek to wear creations of the world’s greatest designers on the catwalk.

Also making their mark in the modeling world are those of Asian descent. Filipina model Anna Bayle is often regarded as the first Asian supermodel, and was considered on par with such names as Linda Evangelista and Cindy Crawford. Then there was Kimora Lee, who was once chosen by legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld himself to model for Chanel. Of the present generation of Asian models, perhaps the most recognizable is Devon Aoki, a model of Japanese, German, and British descent who has appeared in such movies as 2 Fast 2 Furious and Sin City.

And who can miss Brazilian models, who are among the most gorgeous in the industry? Brazil is the country that gave us such exotic-looking stunners as Adriana Lima, Ana Beatriz Barros, Alessandra Ambrosio, and of course, Gisele Bundchen, who is deemed as one of the most famous and highest-paid supermodels in the world today. With a net worth of $150 million, Gisele is listed in the Guinness World Records as the “world’s richest supermodel”.

If we mention Brazil, could other models of Latin descent be far behind? Among the best known Latin models are Cuba’s Daisy Fuentes, Mexico’s Elsa Benitez, Colombia’s Sofia Vergara and Argentina’s Valeria Mazza.

Just take a look at the names listed above, and you would realize that ethnic models have a bright future in the industry as the world becomes more and more open and tolerant.