Anne Vyalitsyna

By Sara Templeton

First it was the Brazilian invasion, followed by a Belgian onslaught and now it seems as though every big-name designer wants their work modeled by the Russians.

I wonder when the Australians will get a guernsy?

There are number of Russian models whose names are slowly but surely embedding themselves into the minds of fashion lovers everywhere, such as Natalia Vodianova, Kristina Chrastekova and Ksenia Maximova.

But above all these up and comers stands 5'10" Anne Vyalitsyna.

Sure, she's only a youngster who has entered a cut-throat world where women are treated like props, and are told they'll never work in the industry beyond the age of 25, but her booking ledger has already been filled with more big-name shows than most models get in their first three years.

The reason for this is her amazing beauty - pure and simple.

Almost all designers who have seen her have been clamouring to get her signed up. Is it here blonde hair, her small frame, maybe her green eyes or perhaps those long legs?

Actually, most industry types agree it's her pouty lips that command the most attention, but whatever excites designers will always ultimately become bland again, but even so, seeing as Vyalitsyna started her professional modeling career at age 15 (she's now 18), she's got plenty of time to refine her head tilts, cat walking and meaningful gazes.

While most girls her age are desperately dashing from one casting call to the next, Vyalitsyna has already been signed up for Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Prada collections, not to mention working campaigns for Chanel fragrances, and don't expect her to slow down anytime soon.

Furthremore, many of the big European fashion houses agree that Russians have the best walk.

The new wave of Russian models are also hard workers and many stylists, designers and photographers are acutely aware of this, eager to get to work rather than have to find a specific brand of mineral water because a particular model "can't work in these bloody conditions!"

Anne Vyalitsyna's rise to fame occured shortly after she won a modeling contest in Russia. She was discovered by IMG scouts in Russia looking for new faces during an MTV contest called, ahem, 'Fashionably Loud Europe'.

After being signed up with IMG Paris and now New York, she almost instantly landed a Chloe campaign, soon after doing work for Anna Molinari and Versus, while working with photographers such as Steven Meisel, Terry Richardson, Patrick Demarchelier, Ellen von Unwerth and Michael Thompson.

Usually when a fresh new face appears on the scene, she'll be instantly compared other models - not so with Vyalitsyna. There's literally been no one else like her: Could she be the biggest thing to ever happen to the fashion industry?

Most are quick to nod a vigorous 'yes'.

Photo: Vogue UK Sep '02 Photography: Raymond Meier	Photo: Vogue Japan Feb '03 Photography: Greg Kadel