Why you should know the name Bethann Hardison

Bethann Hardison was one of the first Black supermodels to take the catwalk, getting her start in the early 70s. Her work on and off the runway has been paramount for diversity in the fashion industry. After being featured in the iconic 1973 ‘Battle of Versailles’ fashion show of top French and American designers, Hardison revolutionized modeling in joining Click Models in 1980. She represented the alternative to conventional looks that were flooding the industry at the time. Hardison helped transform Click as she initiated their developing of a more diverse roster, which eventually became what the agency was known for.

1975 Paris, France Test Shoot by Pelito Galvez

In 1984, Hardison founded Bethann Management. Her models broke down barriers. They included Veronica Webb, the first Black model to land a cosmetics contract with her deal with Revlon, and Tyson Beckford, who received an exclusive contract with Ralph Lauren. Hardison was known for calling out designers and forcing them to talk about race, asking them why they asked specifically for one Black model for their show, or why a different race would not fit their campaign.

2017 by Melanie Acevedo

Outside of her agency, Hardison co-founded Black Girls Coalition in 1988 with fellow supermodel Iman. The group provided advocacy and support for Black models and educated the public on a wide array of issues involving diversity in fashion.

with Naomi Campbell for Vogue Germany 8/2018 by Daniel Jackson

Nowadays, Hardison has extended her work to help young designers of color develop their businesses, expanding into all parts of the industry. From her start, Hardison has been making strides for diversity in fashion. She has worked tirelessly for almost 40 years to demand equality not only just on the runway, but in all areas of the industry. Her tenacity has paved the way for many Black figures in fashion and has given young creatives of color a greater opportunity to pursue their passions.

Cassidy Sollazzo