- The Swiss model Manuela Frey was in New York for a film shoot at the legendary Chelsea Hotel.
- She shot the campaign for Ginny Litscher’s spring collection alongside top model Helena Christensen.
- Frey and Christensen shared the feeling of being surrounded by good spirits at the hotel – Christensen would never stay there.
The Chelsea Hotel is one of New York City’s most iconic locations. Its history goes back to 1883. It was once considered a meeting place for cultural greats in the city. Mark Twain, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Stanley Kubrick and Janis Joplin are among the hotel’s illustrious guest list.
Recently used it Swiss designer Ginny Litscher the Chelsea Hotel as a backdrop for a film shoot. She also hired top model Helena Christensen for the campaign for her spring collection Manuela Frey.
The shoot with Helena is a real bucket list moment for the Swiss woman: “She is an icon and was one of the reasons why I wanted to become a model.” But there was no sign of star airs, as the 28-year-old continued to rave. «Helena is extremely down-to-earth, funny and likeable. I got along well with her straight away.”
Manuela and Helena sensed ghosts in the hotel
The two share an affinity for the supernatural, as Frey adds. “From the first second I felt like the Chelsea Hotel was haunted,” said the model. Everyone on set just laughed about it – except for the 57-year-old Dane.
«I asked her if she had ever slept in the hotel. She replied that she would never spend the night here because the hallways were full of ghosts.” Just like Manuela, Helena also had the feeling that she was surrounded by good spirits – not bad ones.
At the release party in the hotel, they celebrated Ginny Litscher’s collection well past the witching hour. “I slept about two hours a night. The three days in New York were simply too amazing and unforgettable,” says Manuela euphorically.
How would you react if you had to stay in a hotel that was said to be haunted?
Leonie Projer (pro), born in 1997, is deputy head of the People department and has been working at 20 Minuten since October 2022. She gained her first journalistic experiences at Tele M1 and “ArgoviaToday”.
