Through a collaboration with Muse UW and other organisations, the BSJ was invited to sit in on a screening of Invisible beauty, an autobiographical story of Bethann Hardisions life. I hope you enjoy this film recap and review, and I encourage you to watch the film which can be found on Prime, Hulu, and Apple TV.
Photographed by Nate Valdez
Invisible Beauty follows the story of Bethann Hardison, a black girl from Brooklyn who became a trailblazer for representation in the fashion industry. Throughout the film, Bethann reminisces about her past and writes a book about herself.
“Just write about others. You’ve been so influential in so many other people’s lives, you writing about other people is your own story” - Bethann’s Editor.
Hardison’s journey was not without its challenges. Growing up during a time of segregation, she faced a world that was determined to label her as ‘less than.’ Yet, she remained steadfast in her self-confidence, a trait that would follow her throughout her life. Hardison’s entry into the fashion world was unexpected; though she worked in the garment industry, it wasn’t until she met Willie Smith, who encouraged her to model before she made her break.
“I never thought about being a model. You know, that’s the kind of encouragement for things that you don’t even want to do. But people see something in you. Just go ahead and do it!” - Bethann.
To many, she would be out of place. The world she was entering consisted of only blonde and brunette women.. As a dark-skinned, black, androgynous-presenting woman, she was the complete opposite of them.
Hardison first acknowledged her role as a pioneer when she and a dozen other American models of color flew to Versailles to walk the runway in France. Unlike the other teams, the American showcase had no sets.
It was a bare stage; models, clothes, and music were the only things on display. Despite being the only ones of color, Bethann and the rest of the models walked with confidence, individuality, and personality, earning them a standing ovation at the French showcase.
Hardison continued making waves in the fashion industry and started her own modeling agency, where she recruited a diverse set of models and worked hard to make them as successful and as visible as she could make them.Her models consisted of big names we know today, such as Iman, Naomi Campbell, and Tyson Beckford.
Harrison was incredibly successful in making sure that black faces were more prominent in the fashion industry, especially since black people were some of the biggest consumers of fashion magazines. However, they were hardly ever represented in them.
Photo by Nate Valdez
Photo by Nate Valdez
Bethann Harrison and Producer Frédéric Tcheng explaining the film process
Bethann Hardison talking to students
Photo by Nate Valdez
Photo by Nate Valdez
Hardison continued making waves in the fashion industry and started her own modeling agency, where she recruited a diverse set of models and worked hard to make them as successful and as visible as she could make them. Her models consisted of big names we know today, such as Iman, Naomi Campbell, and Tyson Beckford. She was incredibly successful in making sure that black faces were more prominent in the fashion industry, especially since black people were some of the biggest consumers of fashion magazines. However, they were hardly ever represented in them.
Despite the radical change that these black models made, years after, designers went back to their habits of excluding black people from the runway.
“Why does black always remain a category?” - Bethann
Fed up with the industry, Bethann organized a meeting with modeling agents and models to talk about the lack of diversity prevalent in the industry and how they could change it, sparking a movement for more representation in the fashion world.
FILM REVIEW:
Invisible Beauty is a story of love, resilience, and community. Walking into the screening, I knew nothing of Bethann Hardison. I was pleasantly surprised to learn about her impact not only on the industry but also on the people around her. Throughout the film, each interviewee voiced Bethann’s profound impact on their lives, whether it was how she helped them build confidence or inspired them to stand united and advocate for their beliefs.
While some may say it takes an extraordinary person to touch the lives of so many, Bethann shows us that no one needs to be extraordinary to make an impact. Being in the fashion industry wasn’t something that she sought out. It sought her. However, Bethann embraced the opportunity and its hardships. She advocated for the people in her community and became a person they could always rely on.
Despite my lack of interest in the fashion world, aside from my daily outfits, I am incredibly inspired by Bethann’s story. As graduation looms over me, the most asked question I get –by even Bethann herself – is, “What’s next?” To answer this, I don’t know. However, as the days get closer, I find myself less worried about what the future holds. By encountering people like Bethann and engaging in the community around me (like the BSJ), I know that all I need to move forward is to find a purpose in the opportunities around me.
In the film, Bethann often discusses death, emphasizing that her life’s work has been to fulfill the kind of legacy she wants to see written on her gravestone:
“Here lies Bethann Hardison, a compassionate soul.”
Her candid discussions about mortality serve as a powerful reminder that our impact on others is significant. It prompts me to consider the legacy I want to leave behind. What do we hope to contribute to our communities? What are the memories we hope to etch into the hearts of our loved ones? What accomplishments do we want to reflect on with a smile? In the face of an uncertain future, it is crucial to think about the mark we want to make on the world and the people we hold dear.
Muse, BSJ, Producer Frédéric Tcheng and Bethann Hardison photographed by Nate Valdez