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Invisible Beauty

Play trailer 2:17 Poster for Invisible Beauty Released Sep 15, 2023 1h 54m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
An essential memoir of fashion pioneer Bethann Hardison, INVISIBLE BEAUTY shines a spotlight on the singular and unapologetic Hardison, one of the fashion industry's most influential icons who, as a pioneering Black model, modeling agent and entrepreneur, has pushed the boundaries of fashion culture and has been at the forefront of progress throughout her career. In her lifetime, Hardison has seen the pendulum swing toward and away from the Black model. At every setback, she spoke up and rallied her colleagues and clients in the industry to advance change. Now in her 70s, the Brooklyn native is writing her memoir, taking stock of her own legacy at a moment when the fashion industry was shaken by discrimination. In INVISIBLE BEAUTY, Frédéric Tcheng and Hardison trace her impact on fashion from runway shows in the 1970s to roundtables about the lack of racial diversity in the early 2000s. Featuring intimate interviews with luminaries including Iman, Tyson Beckford, Tracee Ellis Ross, Zendaya, Fran Lebowitz, Pat Cleveland, Naomi Campbell, and Stephen Burrows, INVISIBLE BEAUTY is an absorbing record of the racial evolution of fashion and an original contemplation on the life of an unparalleled trailblazer.
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Invisible Beauty

Critics Reviews

View All (22) Critics Reviews
Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) I love the way this film is constructed, directed by Bethann and Frédéric -- because if you know Bethann, nobody's not directing Bethann to do nothing. She is the director of all things Bethann. Oct 4, 2023 Full Review Michael O'Sullivan Washington Post As Givhan says in one interview clip, fashion isn’t just about wearing nice clothes. It’s a template for the judgments we make about people, for the power and the jobs and the respect that we give them. In short, representation in fashion matters. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 18, 2023 Full Review Peyton Robinson RogerEbert.com “Invisible Beauty” expertly highlights the origin and legacy of a woman who is arguably fashion’s most vital figure. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 15, 2023 Full Review Clotilde Chinnici Loud and Clear Reviews Most significantly, Invisible Beauty gives its very subject, Bethann Hardison, a chance to be in charge of her own narrative, as she co-directed the documentary. Rated: 3/5 Sep 15, 2024 Full Review Loren King Newport This Week (RI) “Invisible Beauty” is a gorgeous film to look at and one that illumi­nates an important aspect of fash­ion industry history. It’s also an in­delible portrait of a one-of-a-kind trailblazer. Nov 27, 2023 Full Review Jennifer Merin AWFJ.org An engaging documentary by and about Bethann Hardison, the Black model, agency owner and activist who challenged racist practices in the fashion industry and changed ‘the look’ of runway shows, magazine spreads and other platforms for fashion marketing. Nov 22, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (17) audience reviews
Kimberly To visually enter the personal space of Bethann Hardison was what I needed. As a black female designer, this film pushed me in a way I needed. Reassurance at its best. Thank you. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/09/23 Full Review Rosanne K Love this!!!! A must-see documentary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/24 Full Review Owen W An important film masterfully done. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/23 Full Review Talesha B Absolutely moving. If you're a black woman in the fashion business like myself you absolutely know who the great Bethann Hardison is. This movie gave more insight into how instrumental she's been in the fashion world. She's a powerful activist of strength and beauty. A definite must-see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/23 Full Review Marlo B Such an inspiring, honest, and well-done documentary that gives so much context to the impact that Bethann Hardison has across fashion and beyond. We learn about how she continues to fuel fashion stakeholders and gatekeepers to advocate for perspective and nuance in fashion. The ultimate fashion pundit. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/23 Full Review Jackie P The movie was amazing insight to how Bethann paved the way for inclusion for the black model through different decades… all while modeling and raising her son, Kadeem Hardison! Mind blowing and behind the scene footage of Bethann mentoring big names models like Tyson Beckford, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, just to name a few! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Invisible Beauty

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis An essential memoir of fashion pioneer Bethann Hardison, INVISIBLE BEAUTY shines a spotlight on the singular and unapologetic Hardison, one of the fashion industry's most influential icons who, as a pioneering Black model, modeling agent and entrepreneur, has pushed the boundaries of fashion culture and has been at the forefront of progress throughout her career. In her lifetime, Hardison has seen the pendulum swing toward and away from the Black model. At every setback, she spoke up and rallied her colleagues and clients in the industry to advance change. Now in her 70s, the Brooklyn native is writing her memoir, taking stock of her own legacy at a moment when the fashion industry was shaken by discrimination. In INVISIBLE BEAUTY, Frédéric Tcheng and Hardison trace her impact on fashion from runway shows in the 1970s to roundtables about the lack of racial diversity in the early 2000s. Featuring intimate interviews with luminaries including Iman, Tyson Beckford, Tracee Ellis Ross, Zendaya, Fran Lebowitz, Pat Cleveland, Naomi Campbell, and Stephen Burrows, INVISIBLE BEAUTY is an absorbing record of the racial evolution of fashion and an original contemplation on the life of an unparalleled trailblazer.
Director
Bethann Hardison, Frédéric Tcheng
Producer
Lisa Cortes
Screenwriter
Bethann Hardison, Frédéric Tcheng
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Vogue Studios, Cortés Filmworks, Lane B Productions, Ford Foundation - Just Films, Whitewater Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 15, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 31, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA)
$91.8K
Runtime
1h 54m
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