Helena Christensen
Encyclopedia
Helena Christensen is a Danish fashion model, (former) Victoria's Secret Angel
, beauty queen
, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon
magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer
organizations and other charities.
, Denmark. Her father is Danish, and her mother is Peruvian.
. She left her home soon afterwards to pursue modeling in Paris.
, bare, "except for a strategically placed banana leaf." She was in the Victoria's Secret
catalog and in their television commercials as one of the signature Angels, along with Tyra Banks
, Karen Mulder
, Daniela Pestova
, and Stephanie Seymour
. She also became a spokesmodel for Revlon
cosmetics.
In 1991, 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".
Christensen is signed to Independent Models in London and 1/One Management in New York City, 2pm Model Management in Copenhagen.
of Nylon
magazine at its 1999 founding by publisher Marvin Scott Jarrett.
She launched her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with life-long friend Leif Sigersen. The pair previously ran Butik, a shop in New York's West Village. Christensen has sold some of her vintage clothes line in her mother's store, the Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop, in Christianshavn
, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christensen famously once said, when asked if normal girls would feel comfortable in her new clothing line, "I don't care. I have no clue. I don't think about anyone but me." The quote is printed on the back of Denis Leary
's 2008 book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid.
Christensen is a photographer whose work has appeared in Nylon
, Marie Claire
, and ELLE
. Her exhibition "A Quiet Story", curated by Jim Cook
, premiered in at the Locus Gallery in Rotterdam
, 2006, and HotelArena in Amsterdam, 2007.
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
.
campaign which involves the sale of exclusive designer t-shirts to raise millions for Ireland's Action Breast Cancer (Irish Cancer Society
) and Europa Donna Ireland to help younger women with breast cancer.
frontman Michael Hutchence
on and off in France and Denmark for a period of five years in the early 1990s. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Norman Reedus
with whom she has one child, a son named Mingus Lucien Reedus (born October 13, 1999). Reedus and Christensen split in 2003. While maintaining careers in photography and clothing design, Christensen remains a hands-on mother to Mingus. "He's all that matters," she says. "He's my best friend."
Christensen was a good friend of actor Heath Ledger
. She was heading to his New York apartment on the day that he died, calling Ledger, only to get his voicemail message.
Christensen has an apartment in Copenhagen and lives in Manhattan, where she drives "the only type of car I've ever had," a Morris Minor
. She reported in 2007 that she would be giving up her place in Monaco.
Christensen has claimed on several occasions to be a cheese addict.
Helena Christensen (born December 25, 1968) is a Danish fashion model, (former) Victoria's Secret Angel
, beauty queen
, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon
magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer
organizations and other charities.
, Denmark. Her father is Danish, and her mother is Peruvian.
. She left her home soon afterwards to pursue modeling in Paris.
, bare, "except for a strategically placed banana leaf." She was in the Victoria's Secret
catalog and in their television commercials as one of the signature Angels, along with Tyra Banks
, Karen Mulder
, Daniela Pestova
, and Stephanie Seymour
. She also became a spokesmodel for Revlon
cosmetics.
In 1991, 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".
Christensen is signed to Independent Models in London and 1/One Management in New York City, 2pm Model Management in Copenhagen.
Christensen was creative director
of Nylon
magazine at its 1999 founding by publisher Marvin Scott Jarrett.
She launched her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with life-long friend Leif Sigersen. The pair previously ran Butik, a shop in New York's West Village. Christensen has sold some of her vintage clothes line in her mother's store, the Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop, in Christianshavn
, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christensen famously once said, when asked if normal girls would feel comfortable in her new clothing line, "I don't care. I have no clue. I don't think about anyone but me." The quote is printed on the back of Denis Leary
's 2008 book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid.
Christensen is a photographer whose work has appeared in Nylon
, Marie Claire
, and ELLE
. Her exhibition "A Quiet Story", curated by Jim Cook
, premiered in at the Locus Gallery in Rotterdam
, 2006, and HotelArena in Amsterdam, 2007.
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
.
campaign which involves the sale of exclusive designer t-shirts to raise millions for Ireland's Action Breast Cancer (Irish Cancer Society
) and Europa Donna Ireland to help younger women with breast cancer.
frontman Michael Hutchence
on and off in France and Denmark for a period of five years in the early 1990s. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Norman Reedus
with whom she has one child, a son named Mingus Lucien Reedus (born October 13, 1999). Reedus and Christensen split in 2003. While maintaining careers in photography and clothing design, Christensen remains a hands-on mother to Mingus. "He's all that matters," she says. "He's my best friend."
Christensen was a good friend of actor Heath Ledger
. She was heading to his New York apartment on the day that he died, calling Ledger, only to get his voicemail message.
Christensen has an apartment in Copenhagen and lives in Manhattan, where she drives "the only type of car I've ever had," a Morris Minor
. She reported in 2007 that she would be giving up her place in Monaco.
Christensen has claimed on several occasions to be a cheese addict.
Helena Christensen (born December 25, 1968) is a Danish fashion model, (former) Victoria's Secret Angel
, beauty queen
, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon
magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer
organizations and other charities.
, Denmark. Her father is Danish, and her mother is Peruvian.
. She left her home soon afterwards to pursue modeling in Paris.
, bare, "except for a strategically placed banana leaf." She was in the Victoria's Secret
catalog and in their television commercials as one of the signature Angels, along with Tyra Banks
, Karen Mulder
, Daniela Pestova
, and Stephanie Seymour
. She also became a spokesmodel for Revlon
cosmetics.
In 1991, 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".
Christensen is signed to Independent Models in London and 1/One Management in New York City, 2pm Model Management in Copenhagen.
Christensen was creative director
of Nylon
magazine at its 1999 founding by publisher Marvin Scott Jarrett.
She launched her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with life-long friend Leif Sigersen. The pair previously ran Butik, a shop in New York's West Village. Christensen has sold some of her vintage clothes line in her mother's store, the Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop, in Christianshavn
, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christensen famously once said, when asked if normal girls would feel comfortable in her new clothing line, "I don't care. I have no clue. I don't think about anyone but me." The quote is printed on the back of Denis Leary
's 2008 book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid.
Christensen is a photographer whose work has appeared in Nylon
, Marie Claire
, and ELLE
. Her exhibition "A Quiet Story", curated by Jim Cook
, premiered in at the Locus Gallery in Rotterdam
, 2006, and HotelArena in Amsterdam, 2007.
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
.
campaign which involves the sale of exclusive designer t-shirts to raise millions for Ireland's Action Breast Cancer (Irish Cancer Society
) and Europa Donna Ireland to help younger women with breast cancer.
frontman Michael Hutchence
on and off in France and Denmark for a period of five years in the early 1990s. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Norman Reedus
with whom she has one child, a son named Mingus Lucien Reedus (born October 13, 1999). Reedus and Christensen split in 2003. While maintaining careers in photography and clothing design, Christensen remains a hands-on mother to Mingus. "He's all that matters," she says. "He's my best friend."
Christensen was a good friend of actor Heath Ledger
. She was heading to his New York apartment on the day that he died, calling Ledger, only to get his voicemail message.
Christensen has an apartment in Copenhagen and lives in Manhattan, where she drives "the only type of car I've ever had," a Morris Minor
. She reported in 2007 that she would be giving up her place in Monaco.
Christensen has claimed on several occasions to be a cheese addict.
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
, beauty queen
Beauty Queen
"Beauty Queen" is the second song from Roxy Music's second album, For Your Pleasure. The lyrics refer to Ferry's girlfriend, Valerie Leon, one-time UK beauty queen, B-movie actress and model working in the Newcastle area, circa 1973.-Musicians:...
, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon
Nylon (magazine)
Nylon is an American magazine that focuses on pop culture and fashion. Its coverage includes art, beauty, music, design, celebrities, technology and travel...
magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
organizations and other charities.
Early life
Christensen was born in CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark. Her father is Danish, and her mother is Peruvian.
Miss Denmark
Christensen won the Miss Denmark crown in 1986 and represented Denmark in Miss Universe 1986Miss Universe 1986
Miss Universe 1986, the 35th Miss Universe pageant, was held at ATLAPA Convention Center, Panama City, Panama on July 21, 1986. 22-year-old Bárbara Palacios Teyde of Venezuela was crowned as Miss Universe 1986 by the outgoing titleholder, Deborah Carthy-Deu of Puerto Rico...
. She left her home soon afterwards to pursue modeling in Paris.
Modeling career
Christensen appeared on many magazine covers and in fashion campaigns during the 1990s. One noted campaign featured her in a 20 by 40-foot billboard in Times SquareTimes Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
, bare, "except for a strategically placed banana leaf." She was in the Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
catalog and in their television commercials as one of the signature Angels, along with Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
, Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder is a Dutch former model and singer. During the 90s, she had a successful modeling career and was recognized as a world-class "supermodel" by various media...
, Daniela Pestova
Daniela Peštová
Daniela Peštová is a Czech model. She was born in Teplice, Czech Republic, and was discovered by the Madison Modeling Agency's Dominique Caffin. She had plans to attend college but after winning a modelling contest she moved to Paris to sign with Madison Modeling Agency...
, and Stephanie Seymour
Stephanie Seymour
Stephanie Michelle Seymour is an American model and actress. Seymour has modeled for many notable fashion magazines and designers, and has been photographed by several well-known photographers including Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Gilles Bensimon, and Mario Testino.-Career:Born in San Diego,...
. She also became a spokesmodel for Revlon
Revlon
Revlon is an American cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company founded in 1932.-History:Revlon was founded in the midst of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the "L" in the Revlon name...
cosmetics.
In 1991, she starred in the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak
Christopher Joseph "Chris" Isaak is an American rock musician and occasional actor.-Early life:Isaak was born in Stockton, California, the son of Dorothy , a potato chip factory worker, and Joe Isaak, a forklift driver. Isaak's mother is Italian American, originating from Genoa...
's song "Wicked Game
Wicked Game
"Wicked Game" is a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his third studio album Heart Shaped World. Despite being released as a single in 1989, it did not become a hit until it was later featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart...
." The video was later featured on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's "Sexiest Video of All-Time", voted #4 on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's "50 Sexiest Video Moments", and voted #13 on VH1's "100 Greatest Videos".
Christensen is signed to Independent Models in London and 1/One Management in New York City, 2pm Model Management in Copenhagen.
Business
Christensen was creative directorCreative Director
A creative director is a position often found within the graphic design, film, music, fashion, advertising, media or entertainment industries, but may be useful in other creative organizations such as web development and software development firms as well....
of Nylon
Nylon (magazine)
Nylon is an American magazine that focuses on pop culture and fashion. Its coverage includes art, beauty, music, design, celebrities, technology and travel...
magazine at its 1999 founding by publisher Marvin Scott Jarrett.
She launched her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with life-long friend Leif Sigersen. The pair previously ran Butik, a shop in New York's West Village. Christensen has sold some of her vintage clothes line in her mother's store, the Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop, in Christianshavn
Christianshavn
Christianshavn is an artificial island neighbourhood located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in the early 17th century by Christian IV as part of his extension of the fortifications of Copenhagen. Originally it was laid out as an independent privileged merchant's town with inspiration from...
, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christensen famously once said, when asked if normal girls would feel comfortable in her new clothing line, "I don't care. I have no clue. I don't think about anyone but me." The quote is printed on the back of Denis Leary
Denis Leary
Denis Colin Leary is an Irish-American actor, comedian, writer and director. Leary is known for his biting, fast paced comedic style and chain smoking...
's 2008 book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid.
Christensen is a photographer whose work has appeared in Nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
, Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Marie Claire is a monthly women's magazine first published in France but also distributed in other countries with editions specific to them and in their languages. While each country shares its own special voice with its audience, the United States edition focuses on women around the world and...
, and ELLE
Elle (magazine)
Elle is a worldwide magazine of French origin that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. It was founded by Pierre Lazareff and his wife Hélène Gordon in 1945. The title, in French, means "she".-History:Elle was founded in...
. Her exhibition "A Quiet Story", curated by Jim Cook
Jim Cook
James "Jim" Preston Cook was a stock car racer who competed in the NASCAR Grand National Series and NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series. Born in Illinois, Cook lived in Boston before relocating west across the United States to Norwalk, California.-Biography:Cook began racing in Boston...
, premiered in at the Locus Gallery in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, 2006, and HotelArena in Amsterdam, 2007.
Her exhibition "Far From, Close" appeared at Dactyl Foundation
Dactyl Foundation
Dactyl Foundation is a 501 not-for-profit arts organization in New York City founded by Neil Grayson and Tori Alexander.-History:Founded in 1996 in the "evening of the postmodern day," Dactyl Foundation supports an aesthetic that is informed by science, history, and philosophy...
in 2008/09, to benefit International Center of Photography
International Center of Photography
The International Center of Photography is a photography museum, school, and research center in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
educational programs and Chernobyl Children's Project International
Chernobyl Children's Project International
Chernobyl Children's Project International is a United Nations-accredited international development, medical, and humanitarian organization that works with children, families and communities that continue to be affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.- Purpose :The organization was...
.
Breast cancer fundraising
Christensen launched the second Fashion Targets Breast CancerFashion Targets Breast Cancer
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is a charity campaign launched in the UK in 1996 by Breakthrough Breast Cancer . M & S has sold a wide range of charitable women's clothes for Breakthrough Breast Cancer for many years. The charity is best known for its famous 'target' logo t-shirt designed by Ralph...
campaign which involves the sale of exclusive designer t-shirts to raise millions for Ireland's Action Breast Cancer (Irish Cancer Society
Irish Cancer Society
The Irish Cancer Society is the national charity in the Ireland dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem, and improving the lives of those living with cancer ....
) and Europa Donna Ireland to help younger women with breast cancer.
Personal life
Christensen lived with INXSINXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
frontman Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence
Michael Kelland John Hutchence was an Australian musician and actor. He was the founding lead singer-songwriter of rock band :INXS from 1977 to his death in 1997, a period of twenty years. Hutchence was a member of short-lived pop rock group Max Q and recorded solo material which was released...
on and off in France and Denmark for a period of five years in the early 1990s. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Norman Reedus
Norman Reedus
Norman Mark Reedus is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal as Murphy MacManus in the 1999 film The Boondock Saints as well as its 2009 sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day and for the character of Daryl Dixon in the AMC television series The Walking Dead...
with whom she has one child, a son named Mingus Lucien Reedus (born October 13, 1999). Reedus and Christensen split in 2003. While maintaining careers in photography and clothing design, Christensen remains a hands-on mother to Mingus. "He's all that matters," she says. "He's my best friend."
Christensen was a good friend of actor Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
. She was heading to his New York apartment on the day that he died, calling Ledger, only to get his voicemail message.
Christensen has an apartment in Copenhagen and lives in Manhattan, where she drives "the only type of car I've ever had," a Morris Minor
Morris Minor
The Morris Minor was a British economy car that debuted at the Earls Court Motor Show, London, on 20 September 1948. Designed under the leadership of Alec Issigonis, more than 1.3 million were manufactured between 1948 and 1971...
. She reported in 2007 that she would be giving up her place in Monaco.
Christensen has claimed on several occasions to be a cheese addict.
Helena Christensen (born December 25, 1968) is a Danish fashion model, (former) Victoria's Secret Angel
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
, beauty queen
Beauty Queen
"Beauty Queen" is the second song from Roxy Music's second album, For Your Pleasure. The lyrics refer to Ferry's girlfriend, Valerie Leon, one-time UK beauty queen, B-movie actress and model working in the Newcastle area, circa 1973.-Musicians:...
, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon
Nylon (magazine)
Nylon is an American magazine that focuses on pop culture and fashion. Its coverage includes art, beauty, music, design, celebrities, technology and travel...
magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
organizations and other charities.
Early life
Christensen was born in CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark. Her father is Danish, and her mother is Peruvian.
Miss Denmark
Christensen won the Miss Denmark crown in 1986 and represented Denmark in Miss Universe 1986Miss Universe 1986
Miss Universe 1986, the 35th Miss Universe pageant, was held at ATLAPA Convention Center, Panama City, Panama on July 21, 1986. 22-year-old Bárbara Palacios Teyde of Venezuela was crowned as Miss Universe 1986 by the outgoing titleholder, Deborah Carthy-Deu of Puerto Rico...
. She left her home soon afterwards to pursue modeling in Paris.
Modeling career
Christensen appeared on many magazine covers and in fashion campaigns during the 1990s. One noted campaign featured her in a 20 by 40-foot billboard in Times SquareTimes Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
, bare, "except for a strategically placed banana leaf." She was in the Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
catalog and in their television commercials as one of the signature Angels, along with Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
, Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder is a Dutch former model and singer. During the 90s, she had a successful modeling career and was recognized as a world-class "supermodel" by various media...
, Daniela Pestova
Daniela Peštová
Daniela Peštová is a Czech model. She was born in Teplice, Czech Republic, and was discovered by the Madison Modeling Agency's Dominique Caffin. She had plans to attend college but after winning a modelling contest she moved to Paris to sign with Madison Modeling Agency...
, and Stephanie Seymour
Stephanie Seymour
Stephanie Michelle Seymour is an American model and actress. Seymour has modeled for many notable fashion magazines and designers, and has been photographed by several well-known photographers including Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Gilles Bensimon, and Mario Testino.-Career:Born in San Diego,...
. She also became a spokesmodel for Revlon
Revlon
Revlon is an American cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company founded in 1932.-History:Revlon was founded in the midst of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the "L" in the Revlon name...
cosmetics.
In 1991, she starred in the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak
Christopher Joseph "Chris" Isaak is an American rock musician and occasional actor.-Early life:Isaak was born in Stockton, California, the son of Dorothy , a potato chip factory worker, and Joe Isaak, a forklift driver. Isaak's mother is Italian American, originating from Genoa...
's song "Wicked Game
Wicked Game
"Wicked Game" is a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his third studio album Heart Shaped World. Despite being released as a single in 1989, it did not become a hit until it was later featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart...
." The video was later featured on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's "Sexiest Video of All-Time", voted #4 on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's "50 Sexiest Video Moments", and voted #13 on VH1's "100 Greatest Videos".
Christensen is signed to Independent Models in London and 1/One Management in New York City, 2pm Model Management in Copenhagen.
Business
Christensen was creative director
Creative Director
A creative director is a position often found within the graphic design, film, music, fashion, advertising, media or entertainment industries, but may be useful in other creative organizations such as web development and software development firms as well....
of Nylon
Nylon (magazine)
Nylon is an American magazine that focuses on pop culture and fashion. Its coverage includes art, beauty, music, design, celebrities, technology and travel...
magazine at its 1999 founding by publisher Marvin Scott Jarrett.
She launched her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with life-long friend Leif Sigersen. The pair previously ran Butik, a shop in New York's West Village. Christensen has sold some of her vintage clothes line in her mother's store, the Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop, in Christianshavn
Christianshavn
Christianshavn is an artificial island neighbourhood located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in the early 17th century by Christian IV as part of his extension of the fortifications of Copenhagen. Originally it was laid out as an independent privileged merchant's town with inspiration from...
, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christensen famously once said, when asked if normal girls would feel comfortable in her new clothing line, "I don't care. I have no clue. I don't think about anyone but me." The quote is printed on the back of Denis Leary
Denis Leary
Denis Colin Leary is an Irish-American actor, comedian, writer and director. Leary is known for his biting, fast paced comedic style and chain smoking...
's 2008 book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid.
Christensen is a photographer whose work has appeared in Nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
, Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Marie Claire is a monthly women's magazine first published in France but also distributed in other countries with editions specific to them and in their languages. While each country shares its own special voice with its audience, the United States edition focuses on women around the world and...
, and ELLE
Elle (magazine)
Elle is a worldwide magazine of French origin that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. It was founded by Pierre Lazareff and his wife Hélène Gordon in 1945. The title, in French, means "she".-History:Elle was founded in...
. Her exhibition "A Quiet Story", curated by Jim Cook
Jim Cook
James "Jim" Preston Cook was a stock car racer who competed in the NASCAR Grand National Series and NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series. Born in Illinois, Cook lived in Boston before relocating west across the United States to Norwalk, California.-Biography:Cook began racing in Boston...
, premiered in at the Locus Gallery in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, 2006, and HotelArena in Amsterdam, 2007.
Her exhibition "Far From, Close" appeared at Dactyl Foundation
Dactyl Foundation
Dactyl Foundation is a 501 not-for-profit arts organization in New York City founded by Neil Grayson and Tori Alexander.-History:Founded in 1996 in the "evening of the postmodern day," Dactyl Foundation supports an aesthetic that is informed by science, history, and philosophy...
in 2008/09, to benefit International Center of Photography
International Center of Photography
The International Center of Photography is a photography museum, school, and research center in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
educational programs and Chernobyl Children's Project International
Chernobyl Children's Project International
Chernobyl Children's Project International is a United Nations-accredited international development, medical, and humanitarian organization that works with children, families and communities that continue to be affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.- Purpose :The organization was...
.
Breast cancer fundraising
Christensen launched the second Fashion Targets Breast CancerFashion Targets Breast Cancer
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is a charity campaign launched in the UK in 1996 by Breakthrough Breast Cancer . M & S has sold a wide range of charitable women's clothes for Breakthrough Breast Cancer for many years. The charity is best known for its famous 'target' logo t-shirt designed by Ralph...
campaign which involves the sale of exclusive designer t-shirts to raise millions for Ireland's Action Breast Cancer (Irish Cancer Society
Irish Cancer Society
The Irish Cancer Society is the national charity in the Ireland dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem, and improving the lives of those living with cancer ....
) and Europa Donna Ireland to help younger women with breast cancer.
Personal life
Christensen lived with INXSINXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
frontman Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence
Michael Kelland John Hutchence was an Australian musician and actor. He was the founding lead singer-songwriter of rock band :INXS from 1977 to his death in 1997, a period of twenty years. Hutchence was a member of short-lived pop rock group Max Q and recorded solo material which was released...
on and off in France and Denmark for a period of five years in the early 1990s. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Norman Reedus
Norman Reedus
Norman Mark Reedus is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal as Murphy MacManus in the 1999 film The Boondock Saints as well as its 2009 sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day and for the character of Daryl Dixon in the AMC television series The Walking Dead...
with whom she has one child, a son named Mingus Lucien Reedus (born October 13, 1999). Reedus and Christensen split in 2003. While maintaining careers in photography and clothing design, Christensen remains a hands-on mother to Mingus. "He's all that matters," she says. "He's my best friend."
Christensen was a good friend of actor Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
. She was heading to his New York apartment on the day that he died, calling Ledger, only to get his voicemail message.
Christensen has an apartment in Copenhagen and lives in Manhattan, where she drives "the only type of car I've ever had," a Morris Minor
Morris Minor
The Morris Minor was a British economy car that debuted at the Earls Court Motor Show, London, on 20 September 1948. Designed under the leadership of Alec Issigonis, more than 1.3 million were manufactured between 1948 and 1971...
. She reported in 2007 that she would be giving up her place in Monaco.
Christensen has claimed on several occasions to be a cheese addict.
Helena Christensen (born December 25, 1968) is a Danish fashion model, (former) Victoria's Secret Angel
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
, beauty queen
Beauty Queen
"Beauty Queen" is the second song from Roxy Music's second album, For Your Pleasure. The lyrics refer to Ferry's girlfriend, Valerie Leon, one-time UK beauty queen, B-movie actress and model working in the Newcastle area, circa 1973.-Musicians:...
, and photographer. She has also served as creative director for Nylon
Nylon (magazine)
Nylon is an American magazine that focuses on pop culture and fashion. Its coverage includes art, beauty, music, design, celebrities, technology and travel...
magazine, designed clothing, and supported funding for breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
organizations and other charities.
Early life
Christensen was born in CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, Denmark. Her father is Danish, and her mother is Peruvian.
Miss Denmark
Christensen won the Miss Denmark crown in 1986 and represented Denmark in Miss Universe 1986Miss Universe 1986
Miss Universe 1986, the 35th Miss Universe pageant, was held at ATLAPA Convention Center, Panama City, Panama on July 21, 1986. 22-year-old Bárbara Palacios Teyde of Venezuela was crowned as Miss Universe 1986 by the outgoing titleholder, Deborah Carthy-Deu of Puerto Rico...
. She left her home soon afterwards to pursue modeling in Paris.
Modeling career
Christensen appeared on many magazine covers and in fashion campaigns during the 1990s. One noted campaign featured her in a 20 by 40-foot billboard in Times SquareTimes Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
, bare, "except for a strategically placed banana leaf." She was in the Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
catalog and in their television commercials as one of the signature Angels, along with Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
, Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder
Karen Mulder is a Dutch former model and singer. During the 90s, she had a successful modeling career and was recognized as a world-class "supermodel" by various media...
, Daniela Pestova
Daniela Peštová
Daniela Peštová is a Czech model. She was born in Teplice, Czech Republic, and was discovered by the Madison Modeling Agency's Dominique Caffin. She had plans to attend college but after winning a modelling contest she moved to Paris to sign with Madison Modeling Agency...
, and Stephanie Seymour
Stephanie Seymour
Stephanie Michelle Seymour is an American model and actress. Seymour has modeled for many notable fashion magazines and designers, and has been photographed by several well-known photographers including Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon, Gilles Bensimon, and Mario Testino.-Career:Born in San Diego,...
. She also became a spokesmodel for Revlon
Revlon
Revlon is an American cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company founded in 1932.-History:Revlon was founded in the midst of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the "L" in the Revlon name...
cosmetics.
In 1991, she starred in the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak
Christopher Joseph "Chris" Isaak is an American rock musician and occasional actor.-Early life:Isaak was born in Stockton, California, the son of Dorothy , a potato chip factory worker, and Joe Isaak, a forklift driver. Isaak's mother is Italian American, originating from Genoa...
's song "Wicked Game
Wicked Game
"Wicked Game" is a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his third studio album Heart Shaped World. Despite being released as a single in 1989, it did not become a hit until it was later featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart...
." The video was later featured on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's "Sexiest Video of All-Time", voted #4 on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's "50 Sexiest Video Moments", and voted #13 on VH1's "100 Greatest Videos".
Christensen is signed to Independent Models in London and 1/One Management in New York City, 2pm Model Management in Copenhagen.
Business
Christensen was creative director
Creative Director
A creative director is a position often found within the graphic design, film, music, fashion, advertising, media or entertainment industries, but may be useful in other creative organizations such as web development and software development firms as well....
of Nylon
Nylon (magazine)
Nylon is an American magazine that focuses on pop culture and fashion. Its coverage includes art, beauty, music, design, celebrities, technology and travel...
magazine at its 1999 founding by publisher Marvin Scott Jarrett.
She launched her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with life-long friend Leif Sigersen. The pair previously ran Butik, a shop in New York's West Village. Christensen has sold some of her vintage clothes line in her mother's store, the Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop, in Christianshavn
Christianshavn
Christianshavn is an artificial island neighbourhood located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in the early 17th century by Christian IV as part of his extension of the fortifications of Copenhagen. Originally it was laid out as an independent privileged merchant's town with inspiration from...
, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christensen famously once said, when asked if normal girls would feel comfortable in her new clothing line, "I don't care. I have no clue. I don't think about anyone but me." The quote is printed on the back of Denis Leary
Denis Leary
Denis Colin Leary is an Irish-American actor, comedian, writer and director. Leary is known for his biting, fast paced comedic style and chain smoking...
's 2008 book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid.
Christensen is a photographer whose work has appeared in Nylon
Nylon
Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers known generically as polyamides, first produced on February 28, 1935, by Wallace Carothers at DuPont's research facility at the DuPont Experimental Station...
, Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Marie Claire is a monthly women's magazine first published in France but also distributed in other countries with editions specific to them and in their languages. While each country shares its own special voice with its audience, the United States edition focuses on women around the world and...
, and ELLE
Elle (magazine)
Elle is a worldwide magazine of French origin that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. It was founded by Pierre Lazareff and his wife Hélène Gordon in 1945. The title, in French, means "she".-History:Elle was founded in...
. Her exhibition "A Quiet Story", curated by Jim Cook
Jim Cook
James "Jim" Preston Cook was a stock car racer who competed in the NASCAR Grand National Series and NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series. Born in Illinois, Cook lived in Boston before relocating west across the United States to Norwalk, California.-Biography:Cook began racing in Boston...
, premiered in at the Locus Gallery in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, 2006, and HotelArena in Amsterdam, 2007.
Her exhibition "Far From, Close" appeared at Dactyl Foundation
Dactyl Foundation
Dactyl Foundation is a 501 not-for-profit arts organization in New York City founded by Neil Grayson and Tori Alexander.-History:Founded in 1996 in the "evening of the postmodern day," Dactyl Foundation supports an aesthetic that is informed by science, history, and philosophy...
in 2008/09, to benefit International Center of Photography
International Center of Photography
The International Center of Photography is a photography museum, school, and research center in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
educational programs and Chernobyl Children's Project International
Chernobyl Children's Project International
Chernobyl Children's Project International is a United Nations-accredited international development, medical, and humanitarian organization that works with children, families and communities that continue to be affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.- Purpose :The organization was...
.
Breast cancer fundraising
Christensen launched the second Fashion Targets Breast CancerFashion Targets Breast Cancer
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is a charity campaign launched in the UK in 1996 by Breakthrough Breast Cancer . M & S has sold a wide range of charitable women's clothes for Breakthrough Breast Cancer for many years. The charity is best known for its famous 'target' logo t-shirt designed by Ralph...
campaign which involves the sale of exclusive designer t-shirts to raise millions for Ireland's Action Breast Cancer (Irish Cancer Society
Irish Cancer Society
The Irish Cancer Society is the national charity in the Ireland dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem, and improving the lives of those living with cancer ....
) and Europa Donna Ireland to help younger women with breast cancer.
Personal life
Christensen lived with INXSINXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
frontman Michael Hutchence
Michael Hutchence
Michael Kelland John Hutchence was an Australian musician and actor. He was the founding lead singer-songwriter of rock band :INXS from 1977 to his death in 1997, a period of twenty years. Hutchence was a member of short-lived pop rock group Max Q and recorded solo material which was released...
on and off in France and Denmark for a period of five years in the early 1990s. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Norman Reedus
Norman Reedus
Norman Mark Reedus is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal as Murphy MacManus in the 1999 film The Boondock Saints as well as its 2009 sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day and for the character of Daryl Dixon in the AMC television series The Walking Dead...
with whom she has one child, a son named Mingus Lucien Reedus (born October 13, 1999). Reedus and Christensen split in 2003. While maintaining careers in photography and clothing design, Christensen remains a hands-on mother to Mingus. "He's all that matters," she says. "He's my best friend."
Christensen was a good friend of actor Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
. She was heading to his New York apartment on the day that he died, calling Ledger, only to get his voicemail message.
Christensen has an apartment in Copenhagen and lives in Manhattan, where she drives "the only type of car I've ever had," a Morris Minor
Morris Minor
The Morris Minor was a British economy car that debuted at the Earls Court Motor Show, London, on 20 September 1948. Designed under the leadership of Alec Issigonis, more than 1.3 million were manufactured between 1948 and 1971...
. She reported in 2007 that she would be giving up her place in Monaco.
Christensen has claimed on several occasions to be a cheese addict.
External links
- Helena Christensen Profile HELLO! Magazine
- http://www.foodbanknyc.org/index.cfm?objectid=520D5E80-3048-651A-20AA887135C6FA02#awarenessraisingAwareness Raising: "What's Your Excuse?" Food Bank For New York CityFood Bank For New York CityFood Bank For New York City is a non-profit social services organization. Its aim is to organize food, information and support for needy citizens of New York City.-History:The Food Bank For New York City was founded in 1983...
Past Campaigns public service announcement] - Christensen's acceptance speech at the 2008 Can-Do Awards Dinner. Food Bank For New York City.