Christina Hendricks for Harper's Bazaar

Polished to perfection.

Michael Kors jersey drape dress

Harper's Bazaar November 2010 Issue
"Christina Hendricks: Hollywood's New Siren"
Photographer: Terry Richardson
Fashion editor: Julia Von Boehm.
Hair: Yannick D'Is for Redken/Cutler
Makeup: Billy B for Chanel
Shot on location at 20 Exchange Place, New York, NY (20xnyc.com)

On men and women hitting on her: "Women hit on me," she chuckles. "My husband thinks it's so odd that so many women hit on me." Gay men too. "They say to me, 'Well, I'm not straight, but if I was…' I think it's so flattering."

On her character Joan gaining attention: “When the attention started to become about my figure, I was surprised, because it wasn’t something I was focused on. And then it became very positive, and people were saying very nice things.”

On the costumes for Mad Men: "All the costumes were so tight," Christina explains of the Walk. "I wasn't used to the undergarments, so my natural swing became more of a swing. After I became conscious of it, my hands came up too."

On fans approaching her: “[A lady comes up and says,] ‘Excuse me, I just want to tell you that I watch your show, and you make me feel better about myself. I am a curvy woman and you’ve made me feel sexy and beautiful.’ I got teary eyed.”

On her body: "My mother never said to lose weight. Diets were never a big deal. My mom was always beautiful and voluptuous and curvy, and I always thought she was gorgeous." But puberty had its inevitable challenges. "I did have doubts about my figure when I was 12, 14," she admits. "I was a dancer, but my body was changing. Then all of a sudden I started getting boobs and my body wasn't playing along with my game plan. It got depressing for a bit, because I desperately wanted to be a ballerina."

It's interesting to note how increased prominence can change a celebrity. We're not exactly saying anything earth-shattering with that, but we were struck by some of Christina's responses here. We interviewed her a couple of years back, between Seasons 2 and 3 of Mad Men. At that point, she was a known and talked-about commodity, but not to the extent that she is now. We remember being so nervous asking her questions about her body when (we assume) she would have rather talk about her work.

She was a little flustered by the questions and gave a somewhat surprised "This is how I've always looked" response, nothing like the somewhat more thought-out and anecdote-filled responses she gives now when asked about it. Not a criticism; just an observation. It's like the Number One Rule of Celebrity: Over time, and with increased prominence, the celebrity becomes more and more polished, giving less and less recognizably human responses to questions.

As for the pictures...

Jacket and pants, Valentino. Jewelry, Cartier.

Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2010 Collection/Model: Magdalena Frackowiak (ELITE)
Earrings, bracelet, ring (in mouth), and earrings and rings (on box), Cartier.
Ring (left), wraparound ring (on table), and necklaces (on table), Chopard.
Ring (right), Bulgari. Clutch, Marchesa. Emerald earrings (on table), De Grisogono.

Yves Saint Laurent Pre-Fall 2010 Collection/Model: Yulia Kharlaponova (ELITE)
Bra, Chantelle. Jewelry, Graff. Belt, Judith Leiber.
Pumps, Stella McCartney. Ring (left), Christina's own.

Christian Dior Fall 2010 Collection/Model: Ana Beatriz Barros (SILENT)
Earrings, De Grisogono. Ring (right) and cuff, Chopard.
Watch, Cartier. Ring (left), Christina's own.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2010 Collection/Model: Diana Farkhullina
Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2010 Collection/Model: Debora Muller (NATHALIE)
Earrings, De Grisogono. Bracelet and ring, Chopard.
Pumps, Christian Louboutin.

We're happy to see that someone finally figured out that constantly shooting her in her underwear was not always the best route to go. We wonder if her "people" wanted to go this route or if the magazine did. Either way, someone finally realized that if she has wide appeal due to her more normal proportions, then maybe women would like to see her try some clothes on every now and then.

Terry Richardson still gets too much work, though. Foregoing the inevitable discussion of his sleaziness, we're just sick and tired of the flat Polaroid-esque quality, which is the only thing he brings to the table in terms of actual photographic style.



[Photo Credit: harpersbazaar.com/style.com - Video Credit: harpersbazaar.com]

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Labels: Christina Hendricks, Dolce and Gabbana, Harper's Bazaar, Magazine Cover/Editorial, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, Valentino, YSL