Bethann hardison

She challenged a stubbornly un-diverse fashion world, ran a modeling agency, and soon has a documentary coming out about her life.

The activist and model spoke to the Cut about showing Invisible Beauty at Tribeca Film Festival and why she doesn’t like the term “Black excellence.”

“You have to be able to beat someone at their own game.”

The esteemed model and advocate reflects on her career and the moment that really changed fashion forever.

"I came this far, to Rome, Italy, to feel completely at home," she says of the experience.

[Above: A still from Invisible Beauty] By Stephanie Ornelas “Just get to know someone that doesn’t look like you.” This was the response Invisible Beauty co-director Bethann Hardison gave to a teenage audience member who asked, “What could you leave with us that you want us to hold on to?” The audience member was one “Just get to know someone that doesn’t look like you.” This was the response Invisible Beauty co-director Bethann Hardison gave to a teenage audience member who asked, “What…

Art, books and ephemera fill the Gramercy Park home of the pioneering African-American runway model in the 1970s.

In 'Invisible Beauty,' the pioneering model and activist realizes the power of her story.

"It's not ever the easiest path to be Authentic, and I think it requires a tremendous amount of courage.” This is one of my favorite quotes from Johnson Hartig, the creative force behind Libertine, found in the pages of Melanie Acevedo and Dara Caponigro's latest collaboration: "

“Oftentimes I just think I was that person who was supposed to do what I’ve done,” Hardison, the subject of the new documentary Invisible Beauty, tells Vanity Fair.