There are supermodels, and then there is Helena Christensen. More than three decades after becoming one of fashion’s most recognisable faces, the Danish beauty remains as super as ever. A fixture of the industry’s golden era, Christensen has worked with some of the world’s most influential designers and photographers, appeared on countless magazine covers and built a career that extends far beyond modelling into photography, art and creative entrepreneurship. Yet, for all her extraordinary fashion credentials, her approach to getting dressed remains refreshingly uncomplicated.
“I don’t think my style has changed all that much, actually,” she tells marie claire. “I’ve always been drawn to things that feel a little unexpected, pieces with character, beautiful fabrics, vintage treasures, things that tell a story. I like wearing both feminine and masculine styles and I love interesting patterns and colours.”
It’s a philosophy that has served her well. And on Saturday, October 31, Christensen brought that unmistakable personal style to Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse, attending Derby Day as an exclusive guest of Lexus at its luxurious LANDMARK by Lexus pavilion.
For the occasion, Christensen collaborated with Australian designer and close friend Rebecca Vallance, wearing a custom creation that captured the spirit of Derby Day’s traditional black-and-white dress code. The result was a contemporary interpretation of race-day dressing: polished, feminine and unmistakably Helena.
The appearance also marked a significant moment for Vallance, who was appointed Lexus’s Fashion Collaborator for the 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival. In addition to creating bespoke looks for herself and Christensen, the designer curated the wardrobes for the LANDMARK by Lexus front-of-house team, bringing her signature approach to occasion dressing to the prestigious Birdcage experience.
For Christensen, the collaboration was as much about friendship as fashion. “Rebecca has become a dear friend, which makes being here together even more special,” she says. “I love her appreciation for femininity, beautiful craftsmanship that make a piece feel unique. For me, dressing up should always have an element of playfulness, even when the occasion is quite formal and elegant. Rebeca’s dresses have a lot of personality and it’s wonderful to see her bringing this vision to Lexus.”
And while the Derby Day dress code is famously strict, Christensen believes the most memorable fashion moments happen when women aren’t afraid to inject a little individuality into the occasion. “I love the idea of something classic with a little unexpected twist,” she explains. “Black and white is such a beautiful starting point because you can really play with shapes, textures and accessories. A wonderful hat, beautiful tailoring, maybe something a little whimsical.”
Her advice? Don’t become so preoccupied with dressing appropriately that you forget to enjoy yourself. “I think the most important thing is to have fun with it. Don’t feel you have to follow every rule simply because it’s a special occasion. Wear something that makes you smile when you look in the mirror. That’s always a good place to start.”
The Art Of Effortless Style
Having spent much of her life surrounded by fashion’s greatest creative minds, Christensen has witnessed countless trends come and go. But while the industry continues to reinvent itself, she believes true style has remarkably little to do with what is currently fashionable.
“I’ve met women wearing the simplest things who are completely captivating,” she says. “There’s a certain energy that comes from someone who is comfortable in their own skin. It’s the way they move, the way they carry themselves, their curiosity, their individuality. You can wear the most extraordinary dress in the world, but it’s the person inside it who makes it interesting.”
Christensen, by contrast, has always gravitated towards pieces with personality. Her wardrobe is filled with vintage discoveries, beloved knits and menswear-inspired staples, many of which she has owned for years. “Probably a beautiful vintage dress,” she says when asked which wardrobe item she couldn’t live without. “I have such a love for vintage clothing. There’s something romantic about imagining where a piece has been before it finds its way to you. I love sweaters and live in them all through winter, and I also am fond of a great vintage men’s shirt. I’m not particularly precious about mixing things together. Some of my favorite things are pieces I’ve had forever.”
And despite having access to some of the world’s most extraordinary fashion, Christensen isn’t particularly interested in meticulously planning her outfits. “I’m definitely quite instinctive. In fact, I hardly ever plan anything in advance,” she admits. “I love the process of getting dressed, trying different things together and seeing what happens. Sometimes you have an idea in your head, but then you put something on and it takes you in a completely different direction.”
“I think it’s important to leave room for spontaneity. The best looks often happen when you’re not overthinking them. Same with moments in life.”
Fashion Memories That Last A Lifetime
Of course, when you’ve spent decades wearing creations by fashion’s most celebrated designers, there are bound to be a few unforgettable looks. For Christensen, the clothes themselves are only part of the story. It’s the experiences and people attached to them that have stayed with her.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with extraordinary designers and photographers, and some of those clothes were truly works of art,” she reflects. “What stays with me most, though, isn’t necessarily one particular dress. It’s the memories attached to the clothes, the people, the places, the atmosphere on set.”
“Fashion has this wonderful ability to transport you back to a moment in your life. Sometimes I see an old photograph and can remember exactly how I felt that day.”
There is, however, one particularly iconic design she wouldn’t mind having kept. “If I was to choose one piece then perhaps Versace the safety pin dress. That one was fun to wear and ended up on many cool and interesting women’s bodies.” It is a fitting choice for someone who helped define the glamorous fashion landscape of the 1990s, but whose personal aesthetic has always existed beyond any particular decade.
And while Christensen is synonymous with the world’s fashion capitals, her style influences are far more expansive than the runway. “Copenhagen will always be part of who I am,” she says of her hometown. “There’s a certain ease and simplicity to Scandinavian style that I love. Paris has this incredible romance and appreciation for beauty, and New York has an energy that encourages you to be completely yourself.”
“But I’m also inspired by the colours and textures of places, by nature, architecture, people on the street. I think traveling is one of the most beautiful ways to keep your imagination alive.”
Her Surprisingly Simple Beauty Philosophy
When it comes to beauty, Christensen is equally relaxed. Despite spending much of her career in makeup chairs and getting ready for elaborate fashion shoots, she favours a simple approach to skincare and preparation. “I take good care of my skin but I’m also very mellow when it comes to skin care and makeup routines,” she reveals. “Hydration is important to me, and I love a good face massage.”
More important, she believes, are the everyday rituals that make her feel good. “I believe that feeling beautiful has so much to do with how you feel on the inside. Getting outside, swimming, moving your body, being surrounded by nature, those things make such a difference.”
And the one beauty essential she always has close by? “I always love a beautiful lip balm. Sometimes that’s really all you need.”
It is this easy confidence that perhaps best explains Christensen’s enduring appeal. At 57, she’s as comfortable embracing the glamour of an international fashion event as she is pulling on an old sweater or discovering a vintage dress. There is no elaborate formula, no rigid list of fashion rules and, refreshingly, no interest in dressing to meet anyone else’s expectations.
After more than three decades in an industry that thrives on reinvention, Christensen has learned that the most compelling thing a woman can wear is her individuality. “Trends come and go, but authenticity is something that never goes out of style,” she says. “I think the most important thing is to feel like yourself. Clothes should bring you joy, not make you feel like you need to become someone else.” And really, isn’t that the best style advice of all?
