Helena Christensen

Christensen was born on 25 December 1968 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her father, Fleming, is Danish and her mother, Elsa, is Peruvian.{{cite magazine|last=Nome|first=Valerie|title=Helena Christensen: Model Mom|url=http://www.okmagazine.com/2008/05/helena-christensen-model-mom-6490/|magazine=OK!|date=7 May 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906133913/http://www.okmagazine.com/2008/05/helena-christensen-model-mom-6490/|archive-date=6 September 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/portraits-of-peru-why-supermodel-helena-christensen-returned-to-her-roots-1823080.html|title=Portraits of Peru: Why supermodel Helena Christensen returned to her roots|date=19 November 2009|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=30 March 2011}} She is the elder of two daughters.{{cn|date=February 2024}} Christensen is fluent in Danish, English, French and German.{{cite news|last=Mulkerrins|first=Jane|title=Helena Christensen on modelling at 46, surgery and her new perfume|url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/news-features/TMG11566579/Helena-Christensen-on-modelling-at-46-surgery-and-her-new-perfume.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=3 May 2015|access-date=22 February 2024}} Winning the Miss Universe Denmark crown in 1986,{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/20030831/481/0049|title=Reversing the lens: Helena Christensen|first=Andrew|last=Mueller|date=31 August 2003|url-access=registration|newspaper=Sunday Tribune|access-date=22 February 2024|via=British Newspaper Archive}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/helena-christensen-role-model-8061997.html|title=Helena Christensen: Role Model|first=James|last=Mottram|newspaper=The Independent|date=10 June 2006|access-date=22 February 2024}} she subsequently represented Denmark in the Miss Universe 1986 pageant held in Panama.{{cite web|title=Miss Universe, 1986|url=http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/Universe_1986.htm|website=Pageantopolis.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330013423/http://www.pageantopolis.com/international/Universe_1986.htm|archive-date=30 March 2010|url-status=usurped|access-date=12 September 2010}} The following year, Christensen participated in the Look of the Year 1987 competition, where she was a finalist. She left home soon after to pursue modelling in Paris.{{cite web|title=The Helena Christensen Picture Pages|url=http://www.superiorpics.com/helena_christensen/|website=Superiorpics.com|access-date=2008-06-20|archive-date=2012-06-30|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630024707/http://www.superiorpics.com/helena_christensen/|url-status=dead}}

Christensen rose to prominence in the 1990s, becoming one of the most popular models of her time. In 1990, she starred in the music video for Chris Isaak's song "Wicked Game". The video was later featured on MTV's "Sexiest Video of All-Time", voted #4 on VH1's "50 Sexiest Video Moments", and voted #13 on VH1's "100 Greatest Videos". She became a spokesmodel for Revlon cosmetics in 1992.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} She appeared on magazine covers including Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and W, and in fashion campaigns including Revlon, Chanel, Versace, Lanvin, Prada, Sonia Rykiel, Hermès, Valentino and Karl Lagerfeld. One noted campaign featured her in a {{convert|20|by|40|ft|m|0}} billboard in Times Square, naked, "except for a strategically placed banana leaf."{{Cite news|last1=Wechsler|first1=Pat|last2=Feld|first2=David|date=20–27 December 1993|title=Times Square bananas over billboard|page=19|work=New York Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dDMAAAAAMBAJ&q=photographs+%22Helena+Christensen%22&pg=PA19|access-date=21 August 2010}} She was in the Victoria's Secret catalog and in their television commercials as one of the original "Angels", along with Tyra Banks, Karen Mulder, Daniela Peštová, and Stephanie Seymour.

In 1996, Frank DeCaro of the New York Times cited Christensen, along with Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson and Claudia Schiffer, as "The Magnificent Seven". DeCaro reflected, "Known by their first names to legions of fans, they are the supermodel legends of the modern catwalk, the girl next door pretty underneath all the paint".{{cite news|title=Supermodels Hot As Ever Or On Ice?; No Stars Means No Sizzle|first=Frank|last=DeCaro|author-link=Frank DeCaro|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/21/style/supermodels-hot-as-ever-or-on-ice-no-stars-means-no-sizzle.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=21 April 1996|access-date=27 May 2015}}

Christensen has continued to model. She graced the covers of Vogue Italia (2016), Portuguese Vogue (2016), British Tatler (2018), French Elle (2018). In September 2017, Christensen, along with Schiffer, Campbell, Crawford, and Carla Bruni, closed the Versace spring/summer 2018 fashion show, which was an homage to the late Gianni Versace and supermodel history.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2018-ready-to-wear/versace|title=Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear: Versace|magazine=Vogue|first=Sally|last=Singer|date=22 September 2017}} She walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana and appeared in their spring/summer 2019 advertisement campaign with Carla Bruni, Eva Herzigová and Marpessa Hennink. Christensen is signed to ZZO Management in Paris, D Management in Milan, Unsigned Group in London and 1/One Management in New York City.[http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Helena_Christensen "Helena Christensen Profile"]. Fashion Model Directory database. Retrieved 11 July 2008.

File:Christensen, Helena (FMC) crop.jpg

=== Business and photography ===

Christensen was co-founder and creative director of Nylon magazine in 1999{{cite web|title=Nylon Not a Stretch for the Man Behind Ray Gun|work=Los Angeles Times|date=3 March 1999|first=Paul D.|last=Colford|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-03-cl-13368-story.html|access-date=21 August 2010|quote=[Jarrett's] partners in the new venture include supermodel Helena Christensen, who acts as creative director.}} with Ray Gun magazine publisher Marvin Scott Jarrett,{{cite web|first=Melanie|last=Wells|title=Entrepreneur as Stunt Man|date=1 November 1999|page=2|publisher=Forbes.com Magazine|access-date=21 August 2010|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/1999/1101/6411228a_2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000901044311/http://forbes.com/forbes/99/1101/6411228a.htm|archive-date=1 September 2000|quote=Upstart style magazine Nylon has gotten ink for making supermodel Helena Christensen its creative director.|url-status=dead }} and Kung Faux creator Mic Neumann.[http://www.sassybella.com/2007/11/did-you-know-helena-christensen-co-founded-nylon-magazine/ Nylon Magazine Co-Founders] by Helen Lee, Sassy Bella Magazine, November 7, 2007. She launched her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with lifelong friend Leif Sigersen. The pair previously ran Butik, a shop in New York's West Village.{{cite news|last=Vine|first=Sarah|date=24 March 2007|url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article1543161.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008031831/http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article1543161.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2009|title=Model's own - Helena Christensen is the latest model to turn fashion designer|newspaper=The Times|location=London}}{{cite web|title=Butik.com website, circa 2008|url=http://www.butik.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516021530/http://butiknyc.com/|archive-date=16 May 2008|access-date=21 August 2010}} Christensen created a vintage clothing line, sold in her mother's store, the Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop, in Christianshavn, Copenhagen, Denmark.{{cite web|title=Helena Christensen er vintage-dronning ("a vintage Queen")|date=11 May 2008|first=Lea Kathrine|last=Bahnsen|publisher=Oestrogen.dk|url=http://www.oestrogen.dk/Mode/Shopping/25423.aspx|language=da|access-date=21 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719130247/http://www.oestrogen.dk/Mode/Shopping/25423.aspx|archive-date=19 July 2011 }}([https://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.oestrogen.dk/Mode/Shopping/25423.aspx&hl=en&langpair=auto|en&tbb=1&ie=UTF-8 English tr.]){{cite web|url=http://www.aok.dk/shopping/yo-yo-second-hand-shop|title=Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop}} In 2012, she created a lingerie collection, Helena Christensen for Triumph, for the UK-based lingerie brand.{{cite journal|title=Helena Christensen Talks Lingerie|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/helena-christensen-underwear-collection-triumph-lingerie|date=18 September 2012|first=Sarah|last=Karmali|journal=Vogue.co.uk|access-date=15 May 2018}} Christensen's collaboration with Triumph started in 2008 as the face of the Triumph brand.

Aside from her modeling work, Christensen is an accomplished photographer herself, whose work has appeared in Nylon, Marie Claire, and ELLE. Her exhibition "A Quiet Story," curated by Jim Cook, premiered at the Locus Gallery in Rotterdam, 2006,{{cite web|title=Helena Christensen, A Quiet Story|publisher=Locus Gallery|url=http://www.locus010.nl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515102530/http://www.locus010.nl/tonen/default.asp?pagina_code=210481ED101B3D51E8A91B83C1BCA31D70D1BCA3214AF|archive-date=15 May 2007}} and HotelArena in Amsterdam, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.fashioncapital.co.uk/Issues/InternationalTradingRegime/Helena_Christensen_Selections_From_A_Quiet_Story.html|title=Helena Christensen - Selections from A Quiet Story|publisher=HotelArena|work=FashionCapital.co.uk|access-date=22 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724230109/http://www.fashioncapital.co.uk/Issues/InternationalTradingRegime/Helena_Christensen_Selections_From_A_Quiet_Story.html|archive-date=24 July 2011}} Press release. Her exhibition "Far From, Close" appeared at Dactyl Foundation in 2008–09, to benefit International Center of Photography educational programs and Chernobyl Children's Project International.{{cite web|work=Style|title=The Imperfectionist|first=Karin|last=Nelson|publisher=New York Times|date=14 December 2008|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D02E1DA153EF937A25751C1A96E9C8B63&scp=1&sq=%22The%20Imperfectionist%22%20helena%20christensen&st=cse|access-date=23 August 2010}} [https://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/12/12/fashion/20081214-pulse_4.html Slideshow]{{cite web|title=Helena Christensen, Far From, Close, photography exhibition - December 15th 2008 – January 18, 2009|date=15 December 2008|publisher=Dactyl Foundation|format=includes Flash gallery|url=http://dactylfoundation.org/?p=1546|access-date=23 August 2010}}

In 2014, Christensen worked on a photography series: Liberty Ross, Liv Tyler, and The Pursuit of Grace. "I like doing personal, very intimate projects that don't require a lot of pre-meetings".{{Cite web |last=Codinha |first=Alessandra |date=2014-04-23 |title=Helena Christensen on Her Latest Photography Series: Liberty Ross, Liv Tyler, and The Pursuit of Grace |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/helena-christensen-latest-photo-series-for-rika |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}

Christensen has traveled extensively and often finds herself on both sides of the camera. In 2016, she was announced as the "Global Explorer" for the Luxury Collection Hotels and Resorts. Her major project for the company was documenting a trip from the seaside town of Paracas to the colonial city of Cusco and the nearby Urubamba Valley.

Christensen partnered with Oxfam in 2009 to document the impact of climate change in Peru, where her mother was born. "Climate change in Peru is already devastating and we welcome Helena's commitment to show this to the rest of the world," said Frank Boeren, Oxfam's coordinator in Peru. "Peru is on the frontline of climate change, along with other developing countries, which have played little part in causing the problem".{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/helena-christensen-witnesses-impacts-of-climate-change-in-peru/|title=Helena Christensen witnesses impacts of climate change in Peru|date=8 September 2009|publisher=Oxfam America|access-date=1 August 2016}}

Christensen launched the second Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign, which involves the sale of designer t-shirts to raise money for Ireland's Action Breast Cancer (Irish Cancer Society) and Europa Donna Ireland to help younger women with breast cancer.{{cite web|title=Erin-go-bra - Fashion targets breast cancer|first=Jason|last=O'Brian|date=8 June 2007|publisher=Independent. IE|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/erin-go-bra----fashion-targets-breast-cancer-693286.html|access-date=21 August 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.papierdoll.net/themag/2009/03/06/tommy-hilfiger-teams-up-with-helena-christensen-for-limited-edition-bags/|title=Tommy Hilfiger Teams Up With Helena Christensen For Limited Edition Bags|date=6 March 2009 |work=The Daily|publisher=PapierDoll.net|agency=AHN|access-date=21 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930222244/http://www.papierdoll.net/themag/2009/03/06/tommy-hilfiger-teams-up-with-helena-christensen-for-limited-edition-bags/|archive-date=30 September 2011}}

Christensen dated and lived with INXS frontman Michael Hutchence on and off in France and Denmark for five years in the early 1990s.{{cite book|title=Inxs: Story to Story: The Official Autobiography|author=INXS|first2=Anthony|last2=Bozza|publisher=Atria|page=225|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7432-8404-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MxTMEwwCIK8C&lpg=PT243&dq=Helena%20Christensen&pg=PT225 |access-date=21 August 2010}} She was in a relationship with actor Norman Reedus for five years; together they have a son born October 1999.[http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/helenachristensen/ "Helena Christensen profile"]. Hello! magazine. 2006. Reedus and Christensen separated in 2003.{{cite web|url=http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/celebrity/a-z/163138/helena-christensen.html|title=Helena Christensen profile|work=Marie Claire|access-date=1 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108111404/http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/celebrity/a-z/163138/helena-christensen.html|archive-date=8 January 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2007/09/02/helena-christen-5/|title=Helena Christensen's son Mingus is a chess prodigy|date=2 September 2007|work=People.com|access-date=1 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715063805/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2007/09/02/helena-christen-5/|archive-date=15 July 2011|url-status=dead}} Later, she dated Interpol singer Paul Banks from 2011 to 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10000872396390444799904578050991234575634?mod=WeekendHeader_Rotator&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10000872396390444799904578050991234575634.html%3Fmod%3DWeekendHeader_Rotator|title=Queen of the Runway|author= David Kaufman|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=19 October 2012|access-date=26 August 2014}}

Christensen has an apartment in Copenhagen, a house in Catskill, New York, and lives in Manhattan, where she drives "the only type of car I've ever had", a Morris Minor.Gerard, Jasper (27 November 2005). [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2105-1890657,00.html "Me and My Motors: Helena Christensen"]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. The Sunday Times. Retrieved 26 August 2010.Philby, Charlotte (21 November 2009) [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-helena-christensen-supermodel-40-1823676.html "My Secret Life: Helena Christensen, Supermodel, 40"]. The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2010. She reported in 2007 that she had been residing in Monaco.{{cite web|title=Helena Christensen Interview|first=Torcuil|last=Crichton|date=21 July 2007|publisher=Herald-Scotland|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/helena-christensen-interview-1.835415|access-date=21 August 2010}}

In 2024, Helena Christensen was awarded the [https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-170/issue-171/extensions-of-remarks-section/article/E1168-4 Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) Model Pioneer Award]{{Cite web |title=Helena Christenson - Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization |url=https://www.joinwedo.org/winner/helena-christenson/ |access-date=2024-12-06 |language=en-US}} at the United Nations, in recognition of her groundbreaking achievements and dedication to empowering others to create lasting change. Her contributions were further acknowledged by the United States Congress and officially recorded in the Congressional Record.

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons+cat|Helena Christensen|Helena Christensen}}

• {{IMDb name|4826|Helena Christensen}}
• {{Fashionmodel}}
• [http://www.entertainmentbookingagency.com/artists/helena-christensen/ Helena Christensen] at EBA Artist Listings
• [http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/helenachristensen/ Helena Christensen Profile] HELLO! Magazine
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101021023504/http://foodbanknyc.org/index.cfm?objectid=520D5E80-3048-651A-20AA887135C6FA02#awarenessraising Awareness Raising: "What's Your Excuse?" Food Bank For New York City Past Campaigns public service announcement]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110723235140/http://www.foodbanknyc.org/index.cfm?objectid=2304030C-3048-651A-200CA7FA3FBD7499 Christensen's acceptance speech at the 2008 Can-Do Awards Dinner]. Food Bank For New York City.
• [https://meaww.com/helena-christensen-interview-victorias-secret-angel-charts-her-journey-from-modelling-to-working-behind-the-lens Helena Christensen: "Journey in fashion, from being Victoria's Secret Angel to working behind the lens"] Interview with MEAWW

{{Miss Universe 1986 delegates}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Christensen, Helena}}

Category:1968 births

Category:Creative directors

Category:Danish beauty pageant winners

Category:Danish expatriates in Monaco

Category:Danish expatriates in the United States

Category:Danish female models

Category:Danish people of Peruvian descent

Category:20th-century Danish photographers

Category:21st-century Danish photographers

Category:Fashion photographers

Category:Living people

Category:Miss Universe 1986 contestants

Category:People from Copenhagen

Category:Danish fashion designers

Category:Danish women fashion designers

Category:Women Management models

Category:20th-century Danish women photographers

Category:21st-century Danish women photographers