Anna Vladi Ramirez

At 13, she was modeling Givenchy outfits in Taiwan.

By the time she was 14 and attending Vancouver Technical, the girl known to millions of Asians simply as Anna-T was working for Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani and Louis Vuitton.

As she celebrates her 18th birthday in Hong Kong this week, Anna Vladi Ramirez, virtually unknown in her West coast hometown is among the most recognizable faces in Asia.

The 179 cm Ukrainian born beauty who moved with her mother to Vancouver 10 years ago is among the most sought after models in Asia thanks to her porcelain looks and lithe figure.

"I miss the open spaces in Vancouver," said a homesick Anna in a telephone interview with The Asian Pacific Post.

"I miss my friends and my family," said the teen whose face and figure has launched a myriad of products in Canada, USA, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and China.

"Here sometimes people come up to me and say I have seen you in a magazine or a poster...but not many people know me back home," said Anna, who is now finishing her schooling via a distance education program.

Currently on a runway assignment in Hong Kong, Anna has also been used by magazines like Bazaar, Elle, Jessica, Mens Uno, Cleo, Noblesse and Her World.

"I simply love the work but being away from home can be hard," said Anna whose younger brother Edward wants to be a pilot.

Mother and agent, Tatiana Tretiakova described her daughter as a remarkable girl who has taken all the fame and the pain in her stride.

"We are all very proud of her and we know she will go a long way," said Tretiakova, who runs Tatiana Cosmopolitan Modelling Mgt. in Vancouver.

"I got into the business because of my daughter and we have a select few clients," she said, adding her daughter's "chameleon" abilities bodes well in the modeling industry.

As for Anna the accolades and recognition in Asia has entrenched her as a major player on the runway.

In 2002, she represented Canada in the Shanghai International Fashion Model Competition 2002 taking the Excellent Model trophy.

But the modest Anna says all she is looking forward to in life is a "nice house by the sea".

After her Hong Kong stint, Anna plans to return home for some time, catch up with friends and do some horse riding before testing the waters in Europe.

Her advice to teens seeking fame and fortune as models--"eat well, exercise and stay true to your dreams."