INVISIBLE BEAUTY – Documentary Review
Invisible Beauty is a thoroughly engaging autobiography documentary by and about Bethann Hardison, the Black fashion model, modeling agency owner and activist who challenged racist attitudes and practices in the fashion industry and changed ‘the look’ of runway shows, magazine spreads and other platforms for fashion marketing.
The documentary features Bethann speaking up for herself (and others) and telling her story in current on screen interviews, at contemporary events and via archival footage from throughout her entire career, spanning from her emergence as a super model in i973 at the legendary ‘Battle of Versailles’ fashion show to her resent awards and accolades, including her receipt of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Founders Award in 2014.
The film serves as a chronicle of the American fashion industry from Hardison’s perspective. And, appearing with her in this documentary are a cadre of the many well-known people whose success is directly connected to her influence — included among them are Iman, Tyra Banks, Tyson Beckford, Naomi Campbell, Zendaya and Hardison’s son Kareem the actor, and a very long list of others.
Bethann Hardison is credited with directing and writing the documentary, along with co-director/writer Frederic Tcheng, the acclaimed filmmaker of other fashion biodocs, including Dior and I, and Halston, among others.
It’s as clear that Invisible Beauty pays tribute to Hardison as it is unclear whether Hardison or Tcheng had final cut. But even with the tsunami of praise that’s showered on Hardison throughout the film, it doesn’t feel like a vanity project. Hardison is now 80 years old and still going strong. She’s got a hellova story to tell, and she shares it generously in Invisible Beauty.
FILM DETAILS:
Title: Invisible Beauty
Directors: Bethann Hardison and Frédéric Tcheng
Release Date: September 15, 2023
Running Time: 115 minutes
Language: English
Screenwriters: Bethann Hardison and Frédéric Tcheng (Documentary)
Distribution Company: Magnolia Pictures