Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio rose to international fame as one of Victoria’s Secret’s most iconic Angels. She served the brand for over a decade, solidifying her status as a global fashion fixture. Known for her striking runway presence and effortless off-duty style, Ambrosio has become a go-to muse for top designers and fashion photographers alike.
Standing at 5 feet 8½ inches (174 cm)—and listed by her agency as 5 feet 9½—she towers over the average woman. Her US shoe size 10 is notably large for her frame, making her a standout for her beauty and bold footwear choices. Alessandra’s shoe game is as enviable as her modeling career, from red carpet stilettos to casual streetwear sneakers.
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Alessandra Ambrosio towers over her ex-fiancé Jamie Mazur in a flowing white floral gown with sheer paneling and a plunging neckline at the Daddy’s Home 2 premiere, where the stylish pair posed together on the red carpet (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
Ambrosio began modeling at a young age when she entered a competition with Elite Model Look in Brazil. She was one of 20 finalists, which started her storied career.
Alessandra Ambrosio steps out in a chic white gown and black fur jacket while holding hands with her boyfriend Richard Lee on a night out in Los Angeles (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
The former Angel has modeled for many of the world’s most prestigious high fashion houses.
Her credits include Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood, Prada, Chanel, Christian Dior, and Louis Vuitton. Ambrosio has also been on the cover of several magazines, including GQ, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Vogue.
Alessandra Ambrosio flaunts her legs in a dramatic red embroidered Julien Macdonald draped halter dress at the screening of “Les Misérables” during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2019, in Cannes, France (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Alessandra Ambrosio’s Favorite Footwear Brands: Heels and Sneakers
Despite her height, she is often seen on Your Next Shoes wearing heels by luxury footwear brands such as Gianvito Rossi, Christian Louboutin, Isabel Marant, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Jimmy Choo. For sneakers, she prefers Common Projects, Gucci, and Adidas.
Alessandra Ambrosio stuns in an avant-garde black ensemble with metallic boots at the LACMA Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock)
Signature Designer Shoe Moments
From red carpet glam to off-duty chic, Alessandra Ambrosio consistently delivers standout footwear moments. Here are some of her most memorable designer shoe appearances:
- Christian Louboutin: At the 2015 amfAR Inspiration Gala, Alessandra turned heads in a sheer Zuhair Murad gown, paired with black patent Christian Louboutin ‘J String’ heels, adding a touch of edgy elegance to her ensemble.
- Gucci: Embracing athleisure, she stepped out in Los Angeles wearing high-waisted leggings and Gucci Ace sneakers embroidered with bees and stars, effortlessly blending comfort with luxury.
- Saint Laurent: During a Beverly Hills shopping trip, Alessandra showcased her street style in a rust-toned knit sweater and high-waisted jeans, complemented by tan suede Saint Laurent ‘Blake’ ankle boots.
- Common Projects: After a yoga session in Los Angeles, she kept it cozy in Wolven leggings and an Ellie Mae jumper, finished with shearling-lined Retro Low sneakers from Common Projects.
- Adidas by Stella McCartney: Walking her dog in Pacific Palisades, Alessandra donned a blush pink sweatsuit, paired with Adidas by Stella McCartney Pure Boost sneakers, epitomizing casual chic.
- Veja x Rick Owens: Post-Pilates, she embraced sustainable fashion in Alo Yoga attire, teamed with eco-friendly Veja x Rick Owens trainers, showcasing her commitment to style and the environment.
- Gianvito Rossi: For a lunch outing in West Hollywood, Alessandra elevated her white ensemble with Gianvito Rossi’s braided leather Tropea sandals, adding a touch of sophistication to her look.
Of course, she is much taller than the average woman. Although the average height for women varies from country to country, in the United States, the average woman stands at approximately 5’4”.
Alessandra Ambrosio showcases her perfectly pedicured feet in glamorous gold strappy heels (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
Why Are Most Models Tall? 3 Key Reasons Explained
Although the fashion world is becoming more inclusive, many runways still favor models with a specific body type. Most models, particularly runway models, are very tall, usually over 5’8”, and very thin.
Even standing beside fellow statuesque models like Candice Swanepoel and Alessandra Ambrosio, Karlie Kloss’s towering 6’1½” frame makes the others appear almost petite in comparison.
Victoria’s Secret models Candice Swanepoel (5’8¼” / 173.4 cm), Karlie Kloss (6’1½” / 186.7 cm), and Alessandra Ambrosio (5’8½” / 174 cm) highlight their noticeable height differences and toned physiques in colorful bikinis and shorts during a sun-soaked poolside photoshoot (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Designers look for models with similar body types for a few different reasons:
1. Easier to see – Designers like tall models so they can be easily seen on runways.
2. Easier to make samples – Designers also look for models with similar measurements because the clothes they make for fashion shows are samples, and each sample is the same size.
If the models were all different sizes, designers would have to make clothing that accommodates a range of sizes rather than using a single size to fit all, which would be a much longer process.
3. Matter of opinion – Some designers look for tall models because they believe clothing fits and looks better on women of a certain height.
They also believe that when models of uniform size and height wear their clothes on runways, more emphasis is placed on the clothing than on the model.
Alessandra Ambrosio vs. Other Supermodels: Height Comparison
Alessandra Ambrosio is tall compared to the average woman, but there are many other tall women, especially in the modeling industry. Here’s how Ambrosio’s height compares to other famous models:
Kendall Jenner – 5 feet 9 ¼ inches (175.9 cm) – A modern fashion icon, has graced the Victoria’s Secret runway and walked for top designers including Chanel, Versace, and Givenchy, cementing her status as one of the most in-demand models of her generation.
Hailey Bieber – 5 feet 6 ¼ inches (168.3 cm) – Insecure about her height, Hailey’s work primarily consists of ad campaigns and magazine covers, but she has walked a few runways.
Supermodels like Izabel Goulart and Alessandra Ambrosio tend to be much taller than the average woman (Credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock)
Tyra Banks – 5’10” (177.8 cm) – Tyra Banks has done it all – walked runways, posed for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, and mentored other models on America’s Next Top Model.
Kate Moss – 5ft 6 in (167.6 cm) – Kate Moss is one of the most famous models in the world, despite standing only a couple of inches higher than the average woman.
A model doesn’t have to be tall to be famous, but it helps. It certainly did for Alessandra Ambrosio. Let’s take a moment to appreciate how she effortlessly combines comfort and style, even on a relaxed day out with her kids. Whether walking the runway or strolling through Los Angeles, Alessandra’s fashion choices never fail to impress.
Alessandra Ambrosio’s Casual Chic Look: A Stylish Day Out with Her Kids
Model’s day out! In March 2016, Alessandra Ambrosio was spotted on a lunch date with Lily Aldridge and their children at Jessica Biel’s Los Angeles restaurant, Au Fudge.
Alessandra Ambrosio covers her hair with a wide-brimmed hat as she leaves Au Fudge with her children on March 29, 2016, in Beverly Hills (Credit: WENN)
Alessandra wore a white tee and distressed jeans by Frame, paired with a long striped cardigan by Rta.
Alessandra Ambrosio pairs a chic striped cardigan with distressed white jeans and slip-on sneakers for a casual yet stylish look while out in Los Angeles (Credit: WENN)
The mom-of-two accessorized with a hat from her line, Ale by Alessandra.
Alessandra Ambrosio puts a little class into her white slip-on shoes by opting for a snakeskin-embossed pattern (Credit: WENN)
She also sported a Hermès belt, Tiffany & Co. and Cartier bracelets, and a Rolex watch. Alessandra polished her look with a textured leather tote from Tod’s and white snakeskin slip-on shoes.
Alessandra Ambrosio and her children leave Jessica Biel’s new kid-friendly restaurant, Au Fudge (Credit: WENN)
After lunch, the Victoria’s Secret model uploaded an adorable kissy-face photo of herself on Instagram to thank her fans for helping her reach 6 million followers.
Alessandra Ambrosio’s adorable kissy face photo (Credit: Alessandra Ambrosio’s Instagram)
Copy Alessandra’s style by adding a pair of white snakeskin slip-ons to your wardrobe. You can order a pair at Mytheresa and Zappos.
Cole Haan “Reiley” Snakeskin Embossed Leather Skate Slip-Ons, $215
Junya Watanabe Slip-On Sneaker, $290
Salvatore Ferragamo Ivory Crocodile Print Leather “Pacau” Slip-On Sneakers, $450
Alessandra Ambrosio’s Bold Red Booties in Beverly Hills: Fashion Hit or Miss?
Check out Alessandra Ambrosio, who looked leggy and gorgeous while in Beverly Hills with a stylist friend!
Alessandra Ambrosio goes shopping with her dog at Kitson (Credit: Ryan / WENN)
The black-and-white ultra-short ensemble she wore was cute and classic, but somehow the Victoria’s Secret supermodel found a way to spice it up and make it rock’ n’ roll-worthy with the help of some red, pointy, heavily studded steel-toe booties.
Alessandra Ambrosio with Matheus Mazafera shopping at Kitson in West Hollywood on July 19, 2012 (Credit: Ryan / WENN)
The outfit was completed with a Céline luggage tote, Westward Leaning sunglasses, and a Jacquie Aiche horn necklace.
Alessandra Ambrosio makes a fierce statement in red studded steel-toe ankle booties, adding a rebellious edge to her high-heeled look (Credit: Ryan / WENN)
Alessandra clearly made a bold statement with her red, studded steel-toe booties, but did the look land? While the edgy footwear certainly turned heads, some might say it overwhelmed the classic black-and-white ensemble. Was this fashion-forward or a bit too much?
Final Thoughts: Standing Tall in the World of Fashion
As one of the most recognizable faces in fashion, Alessandra Ambrosio continues to embody the essence of modern supermodel style—elegant, effortless, and endlessly inspiring. Her statuesque frame, confident runway stride, and love of statement footwear remind us that true glamour isn’t just about height—it’s about how you carry it.
If you’re drawn to women who strike the same perfect balance of grace and power, explore these other stars whose commanding presence—and impeccable shoe choices—define tall, timeless style:
👠 Explore More Shoe & Style Moments from Tall Celebrities:
- ✨ Blake Lively’s Height, Shoe Size & Best High-Heel Moments — Standing at 5′8½″ (174 cm), Lively’s commanding heels and red-carpet poise redefine Hollywood glamour.
- 🌸 Dua Lipa’s Height, Shoe Size & Go-To Platform Heels — At 5′8″ (172.7 cm), the pop powerhouse infuses runway energy into her everyday style, often making platform heels her signature.
- 💎 Katherine Heigl’s Height, Shoe Size & Chic Red-Carpet Looks — Measuring 5′8½″ (174 cm), Heigl channels feminine polish with refined heels and sleek silhouettes.
- 🌿 Miranda Kerr’s Height, Shoe Size & Elegant Street-Style Heels — The Australian beauty, at 5′8¼″ (173.4 cm), brings timeless poise to every look with her love of chic, understated footwear.
Together, these statuesque fashion icons celebrate how confidence, posture, and perfectly chosen heels can transform any outfit into a statement of power and elegance. 👠✨