This story is taken from the spring 2024 issue of Dazed. Pre-order a copy of the magazine here.
Danish head-turner Mona Tougaard has walked for practically every big name you can think of, from Chanel to Dior, Prada and beyond. (I can’t list them all, I would run out of word count...) Slinking down the runway like she’s been doing it from birth, Tougaard is part of a new breed of supermodel, and well on her way to becoming a bona fide household name. There’s no ‘not getting out of bed for less than £10K’ here, though: just a smile plastered across her face backstage ahead of every show.
What’s your favourite show you’ve walked?
Mona Tougaard: I really don’t have one, I think all of them are special in their own way.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Mona Tougaard: To work hard and be yourself.
What song can you not get out of your head?
Mona Tougaard: ‘Crucify your Mind’ by Rodriguez.
What movie is guaranteed to make you cry?
Mona Tougaard: I can’t really remember a movie that made me cry, TBH!
What’s your internet obsession?
Mona Tougaard: Videos of Danish summer.
Who’s your favourite supermodel?
Mona Tougaard: I don’t have one favourite – I think all the women are amazing and I admire everyone in different ways.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Mona Tougaard: A midwife, firefighter, archaeologist or psychologist.
What would you do now if you weren’t a top model?
Mona Tougaard: Probably an archaeologist.
Hair AKEMI KISHIDA at MA+ using HAIR RITUEL BY SISLEY, make-up CÉCILE PARAVINA at BRYANT ARTISTS using CHANEL BEAUTY, nails JULIE VILLANOVA at ARTLIST using HERMÈS, set design FÉLIX GESNOUIN at TOTAL WORLD, photographic assistants PIERRE NOWAK, ROMAIN JOUVIE, PATRICIA ZHENG, styling assistants AROUA AMMARI, CAMILLA POCE, hair assistant VERONICA LICCARDI, make-up assistant SARAH CARLIER, set design assistants PALOMA LARATTE, ELFRIED GRATAS, MEHDY BRIAND, digital operator ANTOINE BERNARD, production DIVISION, post-production INK, casting MISCHA NOTCUTT at 11CASTING