Shayk is the first Russian cover model, and her photo was taken by Bjorn Ioss, son of long-time Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr. It's his first shoot for the magazine and we're told this photo was the first shot he took.
Shayk is a native of Yemanzhelinsk, a village that doesn't show up on most maps. She made her SI swimsuit debut in 2007 and has appeared in every swimsuit issue since. Her bathing suit in the 2011 cover photo was designed by Sauvage by Elizabeth Southwood, and her bracelet was made by Los Angeles-based Ettika.
Shayk joins an illustrious group of SI swimsuit cover models, including Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Heidi Klum, Elle MacPherson, Tyra Banks, Petra Nemcova, Marisa Miller and Brooklyn Decker.
Decker makes her sixth appearance in the issue. Other familiar faces include Cintia Dicker (3 appearances), Esti Ginzburg (3), Jessica Gomes (4), Julie Henderson (5), Damaris Lewis (3), Genevieve Morton (2), Hilary Rhoda (3), Chrissy Teigen (2), Anne V (7) and Jessica White (8). Newcomers Alyssa Miller, Izabel Goulart, Kate Upton, Kenza Fourati and Shannan Click comprise Swimsuit's "Best Rookie Class Ever!"
