Christie Brinkley, Tyra Banks, and More Supermodels Stun in Designer Heels at SI’s 50th Anniversary

In January 2014, Sports Illustrated celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Dolby Theatre in Beverly Hills—an iconic milestone for the magazine, which is known for launching the careers of numerous supermodels.

While modern cover stars like Kate Upton and her contemporaries made a stylish appearance, it was the legendary alumni who stole the spotlight. Fashion icons including Rebecca Romijn, Christie Brinkley, Rachel Hunter, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Marisa Miller, and Petra Němcová turned heads on the red carpet, proving that true style—and star power—transcend generations.

Christie Brinkley: Golden in Sergio Rossi–Style Butterfly Sandals

Christie Brinkley sizzling in black and gold at the 50th anniversary celebration of Sports Illustrated at the Dolby Theatre in Beverly Hills on January 14, 2014 (Credit: Bridow / WENN)

Christie Brinkley was the most stunning Sports Illustrated alum at the event. She looked much younger than 59 and sizzled in gold-detailed t-strap sandals that reminded us a lot of a pair from Sergio Rossi.

Christie Brinkley spotlights her flawless pedicure in sculptural gold butterfly-wing sandals with black T-strap detailing, the metallic finish catching the light against the red carpet

Rachel Hunter: Classic Black Gown & Nicholas Kirkwood Lace Heels

Rachel Hunter looking elegant in a long black gown and Nicholas Kirkwood heels at the 50th anniversary celebration of Sports Illustrated at the Dolby Theatre in Beverly Hills on January 14, 2014

Rachel Hunter, Rod Stewart’s ex-wife and famous for her role as the hot momma in the music video “Stacy’s Mom,” wore a long black gown for the occasion. She teamed the dress with lace Nicholas Kirkwood heels.

Rachel Hunter flaunts a chic pedicure in navy lace-up heels featuring sheer mesh panels and intricate cutout details

Tyra Banks: Lace Drama & Cuffed Pointed-Toe Pumps

Tyra Banks channeled sexy and sensual in a lace dress, big bouncy hair, and a pair of ankle cuff pumps at the 50th anniversary celebration of Sports Illustrated at the Dolby Theatre in Beverly Hills on January 14, 2014

Tyra Banks channeled the high-gloss sensuality of classic GUESS campaigns as she stepped onto the red carpet in a lace-detailed look framed by voluminous hair. Smoky eye makeup and sharp, cuffed pointed-toe pumps grounded the throwback glamour with modern precision.

Tyra Banks highlights her flawless feet in chic black ankle-cuff pumps with a sleek pointed-toe design

Rebecca Romijn: Sequins & Metallic Christian Louboutin Pumps

Rebecca Romijn dazzled in a sequined frock and metallic pointy-toe pumps at the 50th anniversary celebration of Sports Illustrated at the Dolby Theatre in Beverly Hills on January 14, 2014

Yes, Rebecca Romijn, the former Mrs. John Stamos and known to many as “Mystique” from the X-Men movies, was often a Sports Illustrated model.

For the occasion, she wore a dazzling dress and complemented it with silver metallic pointy pumps from Christian Louboutin.

Rebecca Romijn steps onto the red carpet in dazzling silver metallic pointy-toe pumps

Marisa Miller: Nude Louboutin “Lady Peep” Leg-Lengthening Heels

Marisa Miller wearing Christian Louboutin “Lady Peep” pumps in nude patent to the 50th anniversary celebration of Sports Illustrated at the Dolby Theatre in Beverly Hills on January 14, 2014

Another lady who graced the event in a sparkly number was Marisa Miller. The former model wore a bronze sequined shift dress and finished the outfit with nude “Lady Peep” pumps from Christian Louboutin.

Standing at 5ft 7 ½ (171.5 cm), Marisa Miller is already taller than the average American woman, but she skillfully enhances her height even further with the power of nude shoes. By choosing heels in a shade that matches her skin tone, she creates a seamless leg-lengthening effect, making her appear even taller and more statuesque on the red carpet.

Marisa Miller elongates her legs in nude patent Christian Louboutin peep-toe platform pumps, seamlessly blending sophistication with sky-high red carpet glamour

Heidi Klum: Head-to-Toe Red with Classic Pointed Pumps

Heidi Klum wearing red from head to toe at the 50th anniversary celebration of Sports Illustrated at the Dolby Theatre in Beverly Hills on January 14, 2014

Heidi Klum arrived at the event in head-to-toe red. She rocked a red leather dress coat and topped off the sassy piece with matching red pointy pumps. The look was simple but downright sexy. What do you think of Heidi’s style?

Heidi Klum commands attention in classic red pointy-toe pumps

Kate Upton: Sculpted Antonio Berardi Gown (Heels Hidden)

Kate Upton embraced a daring, high-impact silhouette at the celebration, stepping out in a form-fitting Antonio Berardi dress that highlighted her curves with a plunging neckline and structured support beneath.

The sleek design leaned into confident glamour rather than excess, making her look one of the night’s most talked-about fashion moments.

Kate Upton opts for sleek red-carpet glamour in a plunging Antonio Berardi gown, its floor-skimming hemline intentionally hiding her heels to let the streamlined silhouette take center stage

Genevieve Morton: Sheer-Panel Dress & Patent Platform Pumps

Genevieve Morton commanded attention in a sheer-paneled dress that balanced bold transparency with clean lines, creating a striking red-carpet statement. She finished the look with sleek patent point-toe platform pumps, adding polish and height to the ensemble.

Genevieve Morton strikes a sleek red-carpet pose in a sheer-paneled black mini dress, finishing the look with glossy black pointed-toe platform pumps that add height and polish

Jessica Gomes: Cutout Black Dress & Minimal Ankle-Strap Sandals

Boob-window dresses were the norm at the event, and Jessica Gomes’ all-black number was no exception. She punctuated the form-fitting piece with simple ankle-strap sandals.

Jessica Gomes makes a sleek red-carpet statement in a cutout black dress, grounding the modern silhouette with minimalist black ankle-strap sandals

Katherine Webb: Sculpted Cutout Dress & Metallic Gladiator Sandals

Katherine Webb opted for a modern cutout dress that balanced bold design with clean lines, delivering a confident red-carpet look that felt both contemporary and polished.

Katherine Webb steps onto the red carpet in a sculpted white cutout dress, finishing the polished look with metallic gladiator sandals that add a sleek, modern edge

Ireland Baldwin: Color-Blocked Mini & Strappy Casadei Sandals

Ireland Baldwin made a confident red-carpet appearance in a color-blocked mini dress, pairing the bold silhouette with red lipstick and strappy Casadei sandals for a sleek, modern finish.

Ireland Baldwin steps out in a sharp black-and-white plunging mini dress, finishing the look with sleek black strappy sandals that add balance and red-carpet polish

A close-up highlights Ireland Baldwin’s strappy Casadei heels, their slender straps and high stiletto adding a refined, leg-lengthening finish to the red-carpet look

Chrissy Teigen: Glitter Romper & Crystal Christian Louboutin Pumps

Chrissy Teigen brought playful red-carpet glamour to the celebration in a glittering romper with a sweetheart neckline, opting for a modern silhouette over a traditional gown.

Chrissy Teigen steps onto the red carpet in a black sequined romper with a sweetheart neckline, finishing the modern, leg-baring silhouette with crystal-embellished Christian Louboutin pointed-toe pumps

She finished the look with crystal-embellished pointed-toe pumps from Christian Louboutin, adding a sharp, high-fashion contrast to the sparkly ensemble.

A close-up reveals Chrissy Teigen’s sparkling Christian Louboutin pumps, their dense crystal detailing and sharp pointed toe adding glamour and precision to the red-carpet look

Dominique Piek: Graphic Mini & Studded Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain Heels

Dominique Piek took a more streamlined, runway-inspired approach on the red carpet, opting for a graphic mini dress that let her accessories do the talking.

Dominique Piek pairs a graphic black mini dress with studded Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain strappy heels, letting the statement footwear define her red-carpet look

She anchored the look with bold studded strappy heels from Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain, delivering one of the evening’s most directional shoe moments.

A close-up spotlights Dominique Piek’s studded Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain heels, their cage-like straps and metallic studs adding edge and runway attitude

Petra Němcová: Metallic Pointed-Toe Manolo Blahnik Pumps

Petra kept it colorful yet classic by slipping into a short printed number punctuated with simple accessories such as a silver clutch and metallic pointy pumps at the 50th anniversary celebration of Sports Illustrated at the Dolby Theatre in Beverly Hills on January 14, 2014

The last looker to earn our nod was Petra Němcová. She slipped into a colorful, strapless number for the occasion, but kept the rest of her accessories simple, opting for a gray, silver metallic box clutch and textured, silver pointy pumps.

Petra Němcová sparkles in metallic silver pointy-toe pumps, effortlessly complementing her red carpet look with a touch of shimmering elegance and sky-high stiletto glamour

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue has long been a platform for models to showcase not only stunning swimwear but also impeccable footwear. Here are some memorable shoe highlights from SI Swimsuit stars:

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Stars: Iconic Shoe Moments

1. Irina Shayk’s Silver Laser-Cut Heels

• Event: Sports Illustrated Celebrates Swimsuit 2016 VIP Press Event
• Outfit: Irina Shayk dazzled in a white babydoll dress.
• Footwear: She complemented her look with silver floral laser-cut sandals by Azzedine Alaïa, which highlighted her legs and added a touch of metallic flair.
• More Details: Irina Shayk’s stunning appearance in silver heels

2. Hailey Clauson’s Black Sequin Ensemble with Classic Pumps

• Event: Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony 2016
• Outfit: Hailey Clauson showcased her supermodel frame in a plunging black sequin mini dress.
• Footwear: She paired her dazzling dress with classic black pointed-toe heels, emphasizing her long legs and adding a timeless touch to her ensemble.
• More Details: Hailey Clauson’s sequin dress and classic pumps at the SI event

3. Olivia Culpo’s Strappy Sandals at the SI Swimsuit Launch

• Event: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2021 Issue Cover Reveal Party
• Outfit: Olivia Culpo turned heads in a daring white LaQuan Smith cutout dress.
• Footwear: She completed her bold look with strappy high-heeled sandals, adding height and elegance to her ensemble.
• More Details: Olivia Culpo’s show-stopping look at the SI Swimsuit launch

4. Chrissy Teigen’s Black Suede Pointy Mules

• Event: New York Knicks Game Courtside Appearance
• Outfit: Chrissy Teigen opted for a sultry look, pairing a black lace lingerie set with a black coat.
• Footwear: She opted for black suede pointy mules with slim high heels, blending comfort with high-fashion for her courtside appearance.
• More Details: Chrissy Teigen’s daring courtside fashion choice

5. Ashley Graham’s Two-Toned Sequin Gown with Metallic Heels

• Event: Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony 2016
• Outfit: Ashley Graham flaunted her curves in a two-toned sequin gown.
• Footwear: She elevated her glamorous look with metallic high-heeled sandals, adding shine and sophistication to her ensemble.
• More Details: Ashley Graham’s sparkling appearance at the SI event

These moments highlight how Sports Illustrated Swimsuit stars not only set trends in swimwear but also make significant fashion statements with their choice of footwear.