Irina Shaykhlislamova was born January 6, 1986 in Emanzhelinsk, Russia. Sometimes credited as Irina Sheik or Shayk, she is a fashion model who has appeared on the covers of such magazines as Annabelle (Germany - May 2005), Jalouse (Greece - February 2006) and Bolero (Switzerland - June 2005). Irina has appeared in the 2007 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as one of the '07 Rookies and returned in 2008.

A fashion executive discovered her in 2004, during a lengthy three-day trip from Chelyabinsk to Moscow. That chance encounter convinced her to pursue a career in modeling and Irina was soon signed by Traffic, the same agency that represents supermodels such as Anne V, Daniella Sarahyba and Natasha Poly, among many others. In 2008, She starred in a photo story for the song single "Diamond Girl" produced by Ryan Leslie. She is the face of the world wide campaigns of Intimissimi (2007, 2008) and Guess (2008).