Helena Christensen
About
Helena Christensen is a renowned fashion model, designer, and photographer, celebrated for her impactful contributions to the fashion industry and her philanthropic endeavors.
Career Highlights
Christensen gained international fame as a supermodel in the 1990s, featuring on numerous magazine covers and in high-profile fashion campaigns, including the Victoria’s Secret catalogue. Her striking beauty and versatility allowed her to work with a variety of top designers and brands, cementing her status in the modeling world.
Creative Ventures
In 1999, Helena became the creative director of Nylon magazine at its inception, where she helped shape its distinct aesthetic. Alongside her lifelong friend Leif Sigersen, she launched her clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, building on their previous experience running Butik, a boutique in New York’s West Village. Helena also showcased her entrepreneurial spirit by selling vintage clothing in her mother’s store, the Yo-Yo Second Hand Shop, in Copenhagen.
Photography and Exhibitions
Beyond modeling, Christensen is a talented photographer whose work has been featured in notable publications such as Nylon, Marie Claire, and ELLE. She has held several exhibitions, including “A Quiet Story,” which premiered at the Locus Gallery in Rotterdam in 2006 and at Hotel Arena in Amsterdam in 2007. Another exhibition, “Far From, Close,” took place at the Dactyl Foundation in 2008/09, benefiting the International Center of Photography’s educational programs and the Chernobyl Children’s Project International.
Philanthropy
Helena is deeply committed to charitable causes. She played a pivotal role in launching the second Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign, which features the sale of exclusive designer t-shirts. This initiative has raised millions for Action Breast Cancer in Ireland and Europa Donna Ireland, focusing on support for younger women battling breast cancer.
Advertising and Endorsements
In 2011, Christensen collaborated with John Barrowman to photograph the campaign for a new grooming range called HIM, which was exclusively launched on QVC. The campaign featured South African actor Nathan Roberts and included products such as anti-bacterial aftershave balm, face wash, moisturizer, and shaving cream.
Also in 2011, Helena teamed up with Unsigned Model Scouts and Swarovski Crystallized to lead a search for two new faces for the 2012 Swarovski Crystallized campaign. As the head of the judging panel, she worked alongside fashion photographer Mariano Vivanco, model Robert Konjic, and David Vivirido, the Editor-in-Chief of Hercules magazine.
Spokesperson Roles
Christensen has served as the face and spokesperson for Silhouette’s Crystal range of eyewear, further showcasing her enduring influence in fashion and beauty.
Legacy
With her multifaceted career spanning modeling, design, photography, and philanthropy, Helena Christensen continues to inspire many in the fashion industry and beyond, exemplifying creativity and a commitment to making a difference.