âThe modeling industry,
@mona_tougaard says, has yet to adequately represent multiracial faces like hers. âWeâre going in the direction, but weâre still not there at all,â she says. She recalls a moment backstage at a show when she requested makeup to match the other Black models.â â
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âWhy do I have this white-girl makeup on?â she remembers saying. âAnd the [makeup] artist just looked at me and was like, baby girl, youâre not Black. It was really wrongâŚ. I think that it was hard for her to place me because my hair is straight,â says Tougaard, who has found support from her agent as well as other Black models, including her girlfriend, Selena Forrest. The two have walked many of the same runway shows, from Dior to Givenchy. âWe are so supportive and we are also really connected. We wish only good on each other because we want to see the Black community rise and be better and do better,â says Tougaard.