SHE has graced the covers and pages of premier fashion magazines, fronted high-profile advertising campaigns, worked with influential photographers, trotted down the hottest runways all over the world, and even made an appearance in the iconic Pirelli calendar in 2004.

Japanese model Ai Tominaga, 24 and mother of one, has chalked up more achievements than camera flashes at a runway show, and it is clear that the fashion world is lapping up her exquisite features.

But early on, Ms Tominaga had to be persuaded to accept her 1.78m frame: “I was 15 years old. I hated my height back then, so my sisters suggested that I should try to be a model.”

She has not looked back from her first assignment as “a haircut model”. She was soon jetting and modelling all over the world. “I realised my destiny to travel and work internationally,” she says of her first New York assignment in 2000.

The Asian look is increasingly in vogue and in demand, Ms Tominaga observes. She puts the Asian invasion down to the changing tastes and attitudes of fashion designers and magazine editors. “The search for the ideal of beauty is continually changing,” she says.

“So many more designers and magazines look to work with Asian models. The Asian model is definitely rising, and I think it’s going to grow as the world looks more towards Asia for inspiration.”

Ms Tominaga herself is a glowing example of how exotic looks can take off internationally. “I model both in Asia and the rest of the world — which is great as I love to travel.”

Currently in town to headline designer Vivienne Tam’s show for the Singapore Fashion Festival, she says: “I’m looking forward to the opening show for Vivienne Tam as I am also featured in the fall/winter ad campaign. Also, it’s my first time in Singapore, so I am really excited to see this country I hear so much about.” — Geraldine Tan