Danish model Mona Tougaard has been selected as the latest face of Tod's pre-fall campaign, a luxury fashion house from Italy led by creative director Walter Chiapponi. The collection celebrates the essence of "Italian lifestyle and elegance" by intertwining a contemporary and refined artful storytelling. It showcases a fusion of "masculine tailoring and feminine demeanor," prominently displayed in their outerwear pieces and wardrobe staples.
Mona Tougaard, a runway star of Turkish, Somali, and Ethiopian heritage, is featured in Tod's campaign, spotlighting the brand's signature accessories like the Di Bag and loafers with innovative horse-bit accents. The campaign visuals, captured by Paris-based photographer Karim Sadli, are impeccably styled by Charlotte Collet.
In the images shared on social media, Mona Tougaard flawlessly dons Tod's latest trench coat while gracefully holding the label's T Case trunk bag, exuding an air of sophistication and poise.
Earlier this month, the 21-year-old model gained significant attention during Paris Haute Couture Week, where she walked for esteemed labels such as Schiaparelli and Chanel. At the Schiaparelli show, she mesmerized the audience in a structured black-and-white dress with an eye-catching collar that elegantly wrapped around her neck and chest. Tougaard also graced the cobbled banks of the Seine River, showcasing Chanel's latest haute couture collection, embodying the essence of a "sensitive yet bold Parisienne" as described by Virginie Viard, Chanel's creative director.
Tougaard's successful modeling career began when she was scouted at the age of 12 and entered the industry at 15. Over the years, she has continued to break barriers and challenge industry norms. She proudly represented diversity on the runway for high-end French label Mugler, expressing her gratitude for their commitment to embracing diversity and empowering women.
Additionally, Tougaard was chosen as the face of fashion house Alberta Ferretti's spring/summer 2023 collection, cementing her status as a prominent figure in the fashion world.
In a candid interview with The Wall Street Journal in 2020, Tougaard candidly discussed the challenges of being a multiracial model in the industry. She acknowledged that while progress is being made in terms of representation, the modeling world still has a long way to go in adequately featuring and celebrating multiracial faces like hers.
Mona Tougaard's journey continues to inspire and shape the fashion industry, serving as a symbol of diversity, empowerment, and elegance. Her presence in Tod's pre-fall campaign reinforces the brand's commitment to embracing modernity while celebrating timeless Italian style.
