Helena Christensen Talks Lingerie

HELENA
CHRISTENSEN has made her first foray into design, creating her
own lingerie collection in collaboration with Triumph – a move
that she describes as “very cool”. The supermodel has designed a
luxury range for the underwear brand consisting of three
differently-themed ranges – Poetica (sexy, Swarovski-adorned lace);
Ballerina (feminine Seventies-inspired glamour); and Dahlia, (soft
romantic separates).

“I was already their campaign girl, but Triumph suggested
evolving the partnership and collaborating together,” Christensen
told us. “It was such a great opportunity to work with such a
traditional, established company and have them support me in making
my own line.”

And no half-measures here – no simply putting her name to a
product – the model mum completely threw herself into the
production process.

“I designed it all myself, but obviously had a team working with
me to explain all the technical aspects – we put together mood
boards, sketches, fabrics, just anything that I felt inspired by,”
she said. “It was fascinating to sit with experienced designers and
see the background of the construction. There was a lot to learn -
I even went to Hong Kong to talk to the seamstresses and see the
samples, I was really involved.”

Christensen described the experience as “an honour” and a great
“responsibility”, and explained how she was able to draw on her
years of industry experience for help.

“I’ve been in the business for so many years as a model, and
you’re constantly surrounded by creative and inspiring people -
it’s a mind-blowing business to be in,” she told us. “But you
absorb all that inspiration, and you keep it inside – it really was
a very educational time.”

So while underwear design seemed a natural progression for the
supermodel – not only has she been modelling it for years, but she
also confesses to being an avid collector of vintage lingerie since
she was a teen – Christensen says that this most likely won’t lead
to her designing anything else.

“It’s not something I really have ambition to do,” she said. “I
was simply offered this opportunity and I jumped at it. You should
always take these opportunities when they come along. I definitely
have a new found appreciation for the work that designers do
now!”

And speaking of which, Christensen cites Alice
Temperley and Matthew
Williamson as two of the London-based designers that she
admires the most. 

“I’ve seen how they’ve grown over the years – they’ve built
these empires, I’m so proud of what they’ve achieved,” she said.
“You always get the cool new designers in England – they just have
this unique way of approaching design.”

Interestingly, the model mum also named one British designer in
particular that could well be able to tempt her back onto the
catwalk again – something which she says is a definite
possibility.

“[A catwalk return] is absolutely not out of the question,” she
said. “If anyone asks, it’s always flattering – like I love Vivienne
Westwood, so that could tempt me. But it would have to be of
the same style – I couldn’t appear alongside all these young
teenage models, it wouldn’t look right. It’s a business that’s
always evolving, so I would never say never.”

The Helena Christensen for Triumph lingerie collection launches
in-store and online in January 2013.

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Lingerie used by killers to tie up photographer

Mumbai: More than 30 college girls and small-time models were interrogated by cops probing the murder of 65-year-old Navraj Kawatra, son of acclaimed Punjabi writer Amrita Pritam.

Kawatra was killed in his Borivili photo studio on Friday. MiD DAY had reported the incident on September 15 (‘Punjabi writer’s son murdered’). Some of those questioned told the police that the deceased claimed he had Rs 15 crore with him at his office. Cops suspect that this cash may have been the motive behind the murder.

Officers investigating the case said the two assailants perhaps had no intention of killing the victim. However, they suffocated him after the latter screamed out and alerted neighbours.

“The two culprits had not brought any weapon with them, nor were they carrying any ropes to tie up the victim – in fact they used lingerie to bind him,” said an officer from the investigating team.

Cops added that the probe so far points towards the fact that the two men knew that Kawatra probably had Rs 15 crore in his possession from the sale of a bungalow in Delhi.

“The girls have also told us that Kawatra used to brag about money and told them about this recent deal. The intention of the duo was to rob the cash by threatening him. Kawatra, who tried to impress the girls and models with his wealth, had told many of his clients about the transaction. We suspect that the word might have reached the culprits,” an officer said. The girls have also told the police that Kawatra used to help them out with money if they were in need.

Educated guess

According to the police theory – based on circumstantial evidence – the duo entered the studio on Friday and threatened Kawatra to give up the money. However, when the victim resisted and raised an alarm, the robbers panicked. To silence Kawatra, the duo gagged him, and tied up his limbs, “Meanwhile, Kawatra’s neighbour rang the doorbell hearing his scream. Unnerved by this, the robbers may have smothered the victim, killing him in the process,” added the officer.

The two then waited, and when the coast appeared clear they ran out of the office without realising they had been spotted by a few residents of the building.

“Kawatra’s assistant has been detained as he knew most details of his life,” added the officer.

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