Toni Garrn in an Interview

Toni Garrn, originally from Hamburg, has been one of the most successful German supermodels for many years. The 28-year-old has walked on many major runways such as Victoria’s Secret, appears on numerous Vogue covers, and is booked for campaigns of major beauty and fashion houses like Prada, Dior, and L’Oréal Paris.

But Toni Garrn is not only an internationally known model – she is also strongly committed to girls and young women. Already on her first trip to South Africa about 13 years ago, she felt that as a public figure, one should take responsibility. In 2008, she took on her first sponsorship for a girl in Vietnam, worked with Plan International, and finally founded the Toni Garrn Foundation in 2016, which supports girls primarily through education.

Thanks to the organization, 100% of the donation proceeds reach where they are needed.

On today's Equal Pay Day, we have decided together with other beauty brands like Und Gretel to donate 19% of our daily revenue to the Toni Garrn Foundation.

Why 19%? In 2019, women in Germany earned on average 19% less than men.

Many people want to help but fail to become truly active. You have been advocating for girls since the start of your career. How did that come about?

I had early success in my life but also knew that my school diploma was important. In many African countries, parents often do not have the money to provide their children with an education. Girls are often forced into marriage, become pregnant early, and have to work very hard at a young age. Education enables them to break this cycle of poverty.

During my travels to Africa, I met many young girls and families and gained insight into their lives. This left a lasting impression on me and strengthened my desire to get actively involved.

Was there a key moment for founding your foundation in 2016?

The more you travel to the projects, the more you see how development work can also be a business – with high costs and many who want to benefit from it on the side.

I wanted to help directly. I had always known my donors, and I knew the girls in the projects, or at least the people in charge, very well. So why not start my own organization where I can promise that the money really reaches the girls who need it.

What are today's donations used for?

Currently, we actively support projects in four countries: Burundi, Uganda, Ghana, and Rwanda. All our projects rely on donations, both for individual projects at the facilities and for scholarships for the girls to cover their daily needs and school fees.

We will consult with our partners and use the donations where they are most needed at the moment.

What do you think is the biggest challenge of being a woman today?

With the variety of trends, public opinions, different images of women, and opportunities, it is difficult for women to stay true to themselves and courageously follow their own path.

For us, beauty is not a superficial topic. What significance can it have for a person?

Beauty and Make-up are a way for women and men to express themselves and experiment. This is how you show the world how you feel most comfortable.

What are the best Make-up tips you have ever received?

Always use an eyelash curler before applying mascara and fill in your eyebrows. I have very light hair, so the small hairs on my face are important to give my face some contour. I wouldn't have thought of that without the fashion world. And above all, how to do it right for myself.

What does your Make-up routine look like?

Pretty simple: Always cream first, then mascara, always lip balm, eyebrows – and if I feel like it, a bit of color on the lips.

Would you like to learn more about our social commitment?
Discover here which projects we have already supported and what is close to our hearts.