Bethann Hardison is a pioneering force in fashion and activism in a career spanning over five decades. Emerging from Brooklyn in the late 1960s, she became one of the first Black models to gain prominence in both New York and European fashion scenes. Her runway appearances for designers Willi Smith, Calvin Klein, and Oscar de la Renta were groundbreaking, culminating in her legendary performance in the 1973 'Battle of Versailles' fashion show - an event which showcased five french and five American designers. Transitioning from modeling, Hardison founded Bethann Management in 1984, one of the first Black-owned agencies, where she mentored trailblazers Tyson Beckford, Nick Kamen, and Iman. In 1988, she co-founded the Black Girls Coalition with Iman, advocating for equitable representation and pay for models of colour. Hardison's activism continued with the launch of the Diversity Coalition in 2013, prompting global fashion houses to confront racial disparities. In 2019, she joined Gucci as Executive Advisor for Global Equity and Cultural Engagement. Hardison remains a revered mentor and advocate, co-directing the documentary Invisible Beauty, which reflects on her legacy and ongoing impact on the fashion industry.
In this episode of Fashion Neurosis, Bella Freud and Bethann Hardison discuss her first shoots with Bruce Weber, forming the Black Girls Coalition with Iman, and how she approached Brides Magazine about including Black, Asian and Latino women in their campaigns.
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