Quick answer
Who is Irina Shayk?
Irina Shayk (born 6 January 1986 in Yemanzhelinsk, Russia) is a Russian fashion model. Tracked for Versace, Mugler and major international runway work. Irina Shayk is ranked #13 on The Cast Index Global 50, with an Index Rating of 89.1 out of 100 in the 5 October 2026 snapshot.
At a glance
How old and how tall is Irina Shayk?
Irina Shayk was born on 6 January 1986 in Yemanzhelinsk, Russia, which makes Irina 40 as of 5 October 2026. Irina Shayk’s recorded height is 175 cm (5 ft 9 in), according to Wikidata. Agency measurements can differ slightly.
- Born
- 6 January 1986 (age 40)
- Birthplace
- Yemanzhelinsk, Russia
- Height
- 175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
- Nationality
- Russia
- Disciplines
- Runway, Campaigns
- Cast Index status
- #13 · 89.1 / 100
- @irinashayk
Birth date, birthplace and height from Wikidata (Q234458), retrieved . Agencies from the listed sources. Profile updated .
The perspective
What is Irina Shayk known for?
Versace, Mugler and major international runway work
The published assessment
Where does Irina Shayk rank on the Global 50?
Irina Shayk is ranked #13 on The Cast Index Global 50, with an Index Rating of 89.1 out of 100 in the 5 October 2026 snapshot.
Each pillar reflects an editorial assessment of the published record. The weighted rating belongs to the snapshot.
Index Rating · Editorial pillars · Medium confidence · evidence reviewed
89.1
- Runway · 40%
- 86
-
86 / 100 - Campaigns · 30%
- 92
-
92 / 100 - Editorial · 20%
- 90
-
90 / 100 - Cultural aura · 10%
- 91
-
91 / 100
Evidence behind the assessment
- Versace, Mugler and major international runway work.
- Eligibility reviewed against work and public visibility in the 2021–2026 window; booking-level citations are maintained in the linked industry and biographical records.
New work and corrections can change the assessment. A profile’s confidence label describes the depth of its source review.
Sources to explore
The runway record
Which shows has Irina Shayk walked?
The Cast Index casting ledger records 4 verified walks for Irina Shayk, for Tod’s, Blumarine, Alberta Ferretti and The Attico. Each links its published source.
A source-linked selection across seasons, rather than a complete booking history. Open the source for the original record.
- SS27 · Walked · Milan Fashion Week SS27Source ↗
Tod’s
- SS27 · Opened · Milan Fashion Week SS27Source ↗
Blumarine
- SS27 · Walked · Milan Fashion Week SS27Source ↗
Alberta Ferretti
- SS27 · Walked · Milan Fashion Week SS27Source ↗
The Attico
Career & background
The story so far.
Biography last reviewed .
Early life
Irina Valeryevna Shaykhlislamova was born on 6 January 1986 in Yemanzhelinsk, in the Soviet Union’s Chelyabinsk Oblast, to a coal miner of Volga Tatar descent and a kindergarten music teacher. After high school she enrolled in beauty school with her older sister, where a local modelling-agency representative discovered her and encouraged her to enter the Miss Chelyabinsk 2004 pageant, which she won.
Career launch, 2007–2010
Shayk’s professional career began in 2007 when she replaced Ana Beatriz Barros as the face of the Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi, becoming its official ambassador in 2010 after three years representing the brand. The same year as her Intimissimi debut she first appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and went on to campaigns for Beach Bunny Swimwear, Guess, Victoria’s Secret, Lacoste and Cesare Paciotti, signing with IMG Models in May 2009.
Breakthrough to mainstream visibility, 2011–2014
In February 2011, Shayk became the cover model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue — her fifth appearance in the magazine, and the first time a Russian model had led the cover; the announcement was made on Late Show with David Letterman. Magazine coverage widened rapidly through 2011–2012, with covers including Elle Spain, Esquire UK, and fourteen international Cosmopolitan editions in spring 2012, alongside a Vogue Spain editorial shot by Mario Testino. As she moved toward high fashion, she walked Jeremy Scott’s New York show in February 2013 and Givenchy in Paris that March, and in February 2014 served as Russia’s placard bearer at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Sochi.
High-fashion era, 2015–2022
In October 2015, Shayk became L’Oréal Paris’s International Spokesperson, a major beauty-industry ambassadorship. In 2016 she walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show six months pregnant, a widely noted appearance given the show’s traditionally narrow casting. Between August 2021 and February 2022, Models.com placed her on its "New Supers" list — recognition of sustained influence more than a decade after her initial breakthrough.
Off the runway
Irina Shayk on the red carpet.
At a glance
Quick facts.
- Won the Miss Chelyabinsk 2004 pageant after being discovered at beauty school
- Replaced Ana Beatriz Barros as the face of Intimissimi, 2007; brand ambassador from 2010
- First Russian model on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, February 2011 — her fifth appearance in the magazine
- Placard bearer for Russia at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony
- L’Oréal Paris International Spokesperson from October 2015
- Walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show six months pregnant, 2016
