I stumbled upon this documentary last year about Bethann Hardison and was so moved by it, I’ve been talking about it ever since with anyone who will listen. As it happens, I was at a party recently where I started talking about it and lo and behold the person I was talking to was the co-producer, Paul Dallas. So here I am again… talking about it.
Bethann was a force in the modeling industry brining daring, attitude and diversity to a world that desperately needed it.
As a model in the 70’s Bethann befriended Iman when Iman was fresh in NYC and barely spoke a word of English. She slayed the runway at the Battle of Versaille when she closed for designer Stephen Burrows’s segment, “with an exhibition of sassy Brooklyn fierce that whipped the crowd into a stomping, cheering frenzy.” Oh and you know, Tyson Beckford? Yep, she discovered him when she launched her own modeling agency and helped land his exclusive contract with Ralph Lauren, the first of its kind. She’s an absolute force of nature and I feel lucky to have gotten to “know” her through this film.
Tyson Beckford For Polo Ralph Lauren Underwear, FW 1997, photographed by Bruce Weber
Hardison (right)At the Battle ofVersailles,modeling for Stephen Burrows in 1974.
Hope you’ll take the journey with me and watch the film for yourself.
x Lisa
