Helena Christensen

Name: Helena Christensen

Introduction: Helena Christensen is a Danish supermodel, photographer, and creative director. She rose to international fame in the 1990s as one of the original supermodels, known for her exotic beauty and captivating presence. Beyond her iconic modeling career, she has distinguished herself as a talented photographer, fashion designer, and advocate for various causes.

Date of birth: December 25, 1968

Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)

Place of birth: Copenhagen, Denmark

Family:

Parents’ names: Flemming Christensen (father, Danish) and Elsa Christensen (mother, Peruvian).
Siblings: Anita Christensen (younger sister).
Spouse: She has never officially married, but has had high-profile relationships.
- Michael Hutchence (partner, 1991-1995, lead singer of INXS)
- Norman Reedus (partner, 1998-2003, actor)
- Paul Banks (partner, 2008-2015, lead singer of Interpol)
Children: Mingus Lucien Reedus (son, born 1999, with Norman Reedus).
Relatives: Her sister Anita Christensen.

Profession: Supermodel, photographer, creative director, fashion designer, entrepreneur.

Nationality: Danish (with Peruvian heritage)

Religion: Information not consistently available.

College or university attended: Information not widely publicized. She began modeling at a young age.

Biography and What Famous For:

Helena Christensen’s journey into the fashion world began when she won the Miss Universe Denmark title at the age of 18 in 1986. She then moved to Paris to pursue modeling seriously. Her unique blend of Danish and Peruvian heritage gave her a distinct look that quickly caught the eye of top designers and photographers.

She became one of the defining faces of the 1990s supermodel era, walking the runways for and appearing in campaigns for virtually every major fashion house, including Chanel, Versace, Prada, Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, and many others. She graced the covers of countless international magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and W.

Christensen is particularly famous for:

Her appearance in Chris Isaak’s iconic music video for “Wicked Game” (1991): This visually stunning black-and-white video, featuring her and Isaak on a beach, catapulted her to widespread global recognition beyond the fashion world.
Being a Victoria’s Secret Angel: She was one of the early and most recognizable Angels for the lingerie brand.
Her role as one of the original 90s supermodels: Alongside Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, and Christy Turlington, she was part of an elite group who transcended modeling into pop culture icons.
Her career as a photographer: Christensen is an accomplished photographer whose work has been published in numerous magazines (like Vogue, Elle, W) and exhibited in galleries. She often photographs her fellow models and friends.
Her creative direction and entrepreneurial ventures: She was a co-founder and original creative director for Nylon magazine. She also launched her own clothing line, Christensen & Sigersen, with her friend Leif Sigersen, and a lingerie collection for Triumph. She operated a concept store called Butik in New York City.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Christensen is known for her philanthropic efforts, supporting various breast cancer organizations and other charities. She also became a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2015, focusing on climate change and its impact on refugees. She maintains a relatively private life at her farm in upstate New York, often sharing glimpses of her passion for nature and wellness.

Have participated (Selected Works):

Modeling:

Magazine Covers: Numerous editions of Vogue (including Vogue Paris, British Vogue, Italian Vogue), Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, W, Glamour, Marie Claire, i-D, The Face, etc.
Advertising Campaigns: Chanel, Versace, Prada, Valentino, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Lacroix, Lanvin, Revlon, Calvin Klein, Hermes, Vivienne Westwood, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Triumph Lingerie, P&G, Evian, and many more.
Runway Shows: Regularly walked for all major designers during fashion weeks in New York, Paris, Milan, and London throughout the 1990s.
Victoria’s Secret: Featured extensively in their catalogs and fashion shows as one of the original Angels.

Music Videos: