Every month we put an authentic and inspiring fashion model in the spotlights. This month it’s fashion model Mona Tougaard, who isn’t a new name in the modeling scene anymore. She adorned several magazine covers, big campaigns many models can only dream of and is on her way to become one of the coolest top models. Let’s take a closer look at this authentic and successful beauty.
Cover photo: © Pexels
Mona Tougaard
The modeling industry might be tough, but it’s worth the hassle – at least for successful fashion model Mona Tougaard. With only 18 years old, the model with Danish, Somali, Ethiopian, and Turkish descent is the fresh personality the fashion industry was looking for. And that’s what Tougaard knows as well. In an interview with i-D Magazine, she emphasizes how happy she is with the fashion industry finally recognizing women of color as being beautiful. Something that happened before as well, but now in a broader sense. “The industry is finally ready,” a statement she made in 2019, before the Black Lives Matter movement would become so central to the entire world.
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On her Instagram, Tougaard mockingly calls herelf MonaLisa. Her uplifting mood and rebellious character (“smoking is my sin“) immediately reveal when looking at her photos. Being herself is her way of life – and that’s perfectly made clear on her Instagram feed.
Campaigns
Despite being funny and a bit rebellious, Mona Tougaard didn’t feel ready for the modeling industry when scouted at age 12 – just three years after her mother’s death. When looking back on this moment, she would tell her younger self to “shut up” and just go for it. Everything would work out well anyways, after she won Elite Model Look Denmark at age 15. Tougaard debuted as Prada exclusive in 2019. By now, she’s become more successful than she could ever imagine. With campaigns and shows for Loewe, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Chloé, Stella McCartney and Burberry, amongst others, Tougaard levels up with the Hadid sisters. It’s fair to say she’s one to watch.
Despite her (future) success, Tougaard’s biggest dream is to move to Denmark’s countryside one day, to start a big family and live on a farm with many animals. Being scouted as a model “fuck up” her idea of the ideal future. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Being yourself and being rebellious can perfectly merge with a farmer’s life. A damn pretty one.
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Also read: Fashion model of the month – how Jill Kortleve broadens our view on beauty
