Invisible Beauty

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Invisible Beauty

Released Sep 15, 2023

1h 54m

Documentary

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23 Reviews

84%

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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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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

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

David Bax

Battleship Pretension

Hardison’s tenacity instructs us in the need to continue the fight, the ultimate goal of which is to make a better world for everyone.

Jan 4, 2025

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

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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

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Bethann Hardison

Director

Frédéric Tcheng

Director

Bethann Hardison

Self

Iman

Self

Tyson Beckford

Self

Tracee Ellis Ross

Self

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Invisible Beauty: Trailer 1

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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: Lane B Productions, Whitewater Films, Vogue Studios, Ford Foundation - Just Films, Cortés Filmworks
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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