In Conversation with Helena Christensen About Motherhood

The stories of Pandora and Helena Christensen began in the same place: Denmark. But the future of the supermodel (and that of the jewelry brand, too) was destined to be global. It was thus that after being discovered as a young model, Christensen traveled around the world to walk on the runways of established fashion houses such as Chanel and Valentino, becoming a fashion icon during the 1990s.

Currently, Christensen, based in New York City, combines the world of modeling with photography and the philanthropic causes for which she fights every day, such as climate change and breast cancer. Now, she's teaming up with Pandora for its Mother's Day campaign, along with her own mom. Here, the model meets L'OFFICIEL to talk about being a mom and Mother's Day gifts.

L'OFFICIEL: Describe maternal love in three words.

HELENA CHRISTENSEN: Pure, infinite, honest.

L'O: What is the best advice you have been given about motherhood?

HC: When you have a child, it is as if you fill a bottle with all the pure love, strength, hope, and trust that you can, because once you let them go into their own lives, they will have that bottle full for the rest of their lives.

L'O: How would you describe your relationship with your son, Mingus?

HC: My son means many things to me. You can teach your children a lot as they grow, but suddenly that dynamic changes and the next thing that happens is that you listen to them and you see yourself through their eyes, and that is a really incredible experience.

L'O: How have you managed to balance being a mother with everyday life?

HC: I was very lucky to have my mother present. She was a great help and there is something very nice about a child being with his grandmother, or with his grandparents, from the beginning. You have your parents, but it is wonderful to have someone who has already been through the same thing and who is so close to you, helps you, supports you, and is there for you. It was the greatest gift they could give me. Now, my son doesn't need me in the same way, but you know, you always need your parents. You always seek his love, his support. And once you are a father, you are a father for life.

L'O: You were always the supermodel who took your parents around the world backstage at shows. What did it mean to you to have that support?

HC: From the beginning of my career I had the great luck that my parents were there with me; even my grandparents accompanied me sometimes. I included them in everything, which also meant that, in a very beautiful way, they ended up being the parents of all my peers, of all the girls around me. Because not everyone was lucky enough that their parents could travel or be with them, as much as I did.

L'O: If you could choose one piece from the collection that you would like to receive this Mother's Day, what would it be and why?

HC: I would love for my son to give me the Love You Mum Infinity Heart pendant charm, because it would be beautiful to know that this Mother's Day, there is an infinite bond between him and me. I hope he thinks the same.

LO: What piece of the collection would you choose for your own mom?

HC: I would choose the Rose Petals Link bracelet for my mother because for me it is the most beautiful flower of all; a colorful, fragrant and magical flower that always shows the best of itself.