She lives on a farm with eight horses and travels the globe to shoot top campaigns. Get to know the nonconforming model Mona Johannesson.
Mona Johannesson was discovered at a horse show when she was 14. Two years later she moved from Sweden to pursue a career in modelling. With features resembling Kate Moss’s, she had instant success on the international fashion scene and, for periods of time, lived in Paris, London, Milan and New York. Her most notable work includes campaigns for Chanel, Elizabeth Arden, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu and H&M. She’s been featured in editorials in French, Italian, Japanese, British, German and American Vogue, to name some of her work.
Despite her huge success, and having the privilege to travel to, and live in, some of the most vibrant cities on the planet, Mona realized that the typical top model lifestyle wasn’t for her. She didn’t want to live in big cities and she didn’t want to live without her companions.
So she moved back home and bought a horse farm outside the small town Växjö. Now she divides her time between horseback riding and running a farm with eight horses – and doing top campaigns, shows and editorials all over the world.
These are Mona’s top model secrets.
IN MY CAREER, I AM MOST PROUD OVER…
“Being able to mix my career as a model and still have time to do what I love, horseback riding.”
MY MOST MEMORABLE SHOOT/SHOW WAS…
“I remember almost all my shoots and shows, but one of my most memorable ones is my first international show that was for Chanel haute couture.”
MY MODEL ICON IS…
“It’s hard to stick to just one but two of them would be Kate Moss and Audrey Hepburn.”
MY BEAUTY SECRET IS…
“To use organic and natural products.”
I KEEP IN SHAPE BY…
“Riding horses.”
FOR A QUICK HAIR FIX, I…
“Put it in a messy knot.”
MY DE-STRESS TRICK IS…
“A walk in the woods with my dog.”
MY SECRET TALENT IS…
“I don't think I have one.”
I SMELL LIKE…
“I change a lot, at the moment Stella McCartney’s Lily.”
MY FAVOURITE OFF-DUTY LOOK IS…
“Stable clothes.”
RIGHT NOW, I AM OBSESSED WITH…
“Trying to learn how to cook. I’m really bad!”
THE BEST BEAUTY TIP I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS…
“Eat well, drink lots of water and do the things that make you happy! What you feel inside will sooner or later show on the outside.”
MY FAVOURITE HOTEL IS…
“Ett Hem in Stockholm, Sweden.”
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS…
“It changes all the time. At the moment it’s right at home in my own kitchen when my boyfriend is making dinner.”
FOR BREAKFAST, I ALWAYS HAVE…
“A cup of tea, knäckebröd [Swedish crispbread], yoghurt with homemade granola.”
FOR A LONG FLIGHT, I ALWAYS PACK…
“An extra sweater. I’m always cold when I'm flying.”
WHEN I HAVE SOME FREE TIME, I…
“Spend time with my boyfriend, family, friends and with my horses.”
THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS…
“Forget about ‘what-ifs…’ It won't make any difference.”
MY FAVOURITE THING TO SHOP WHEN I AM AWAY IS…
“Shoes.”
BEING A MODEL, I’VE LEARNT…
“Not to take everything too seriously and to take care of myself.”
MY FAVOURITE TV SHOW IS…
“I don't watch that much TV, and if I do I prefer a movie.”
RIGHT NOW, I AM READING…
“At the moment I’m not reading any book at all.”
MY GOAL IN LIFE IS…
“To do things that makes me happy.”
MONA JOHANNESSON
AGE: 27
AGENCY: MIKAs
DISCOVERED: At 14 at a horse show
CITY: Växjö in the south of Sweden
FAMILY: Lives with her boyfriend and her dog
INSTAGRAM: @monajohannesson
BLOG: mona.elle.se
