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We all know that misunderstood chick on the right.
But do we know that silver haired fox known as Bethann to the left? Beth Ann Hardison is a woman warrior, former model, mother of Dwayne Wayne, a pioneer, a brilliant mind and the champion advocate of black model representation. Now some not you may think that models are just those lucky chopsticks people born into the genetic lottery who strut the runways, and sit on toilets made out of solid gold; but ahem… in the Wild Wild West representation and symbolism are a necessary evil. Besides. All black models can’t build empire’s like Tyra.
Back to Bethann. She’s the founder of Bethann Modeling Agency who founded, launched, and managed the career of the lusciousness and suspectual that is Tyson Beckford and the “forever badass, beautiful, and bipolar” Naomi Campbell. But more importantly Beth is an a elegant rabble-rouser who’s consistent in her message in the airing out of the dirty laundry and festering funky secrets of an insidiously powerful industry without pointing the finger. In October of 2007 Ms. Hardison decided to hold a free symposium in NYC as a rebuttal to discuss the glaring absence of black model presence and overall lack of diversity on the catwalk. She also wanted to know why in the carbon copy hell have black models been reduced to wearing grass skirts and carry tribal spears. The symposium sent modeling agencies and fashion designers on a scramble of damage control and flooded their cheeks with the color of thoughtlessness and full head on embarrassment. It was because of that symposium that “Black Italian Vogue “busted a move” and did the unthinkable: created an entire magazine dedicated to black women sans the spears.
Iconic Indeed. Your thoughts?
on December 16th, 2008 at 10:07 am
*Suspectual*…you heard it first on Get Togetha…
on December 16th, 2008 at 11:41 am
When did this Italian Vogue come out???? I must find out. Thanks for blogging about the awesomeness that is the BLACK Woman! Loves it!
on December 16th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Much respect to Bethann for exposing the dirt. I saw some of the photos of Italian Vogue and they looked incredible. Toccara was esp. smokin’ hot. Anyway, there’s still a long way to go and one “Black Issue” DOES NOT equal racial justice.
I hope Bethann keeps the pressure on. Seems like Black folk have to be the conscience of the world, not just America.
on December 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Love this story/woman. And I had no idea that she was behind that issue of Vogue Italia. Wondrous.
on December 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Awesome pic GT!! Bethann Hardison is a legend in the fashion world, speaking up on the real deal in the fashion world since the 60s and 70s when she was a model.
on December 16th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
GT
I heard of Bethann a couple years ago! She is certainly a powerhouse. As always, thank you for shining a light on the women whose names are not always spoken.
Peace.
~Ramona
on December 16th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Hi GT! Thanks for the schooling here. I had no idea that she was the catalyst that made the fashion industry aware of their lack of ethnicity on the runway. I also didn’t know that this powerhouse is Kadeem Hardison’s mother. Wow! Thanks for the info!
on December 16th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I didn’t know that it was because of Ms. Beth Ann..that Black Italian Vogue issue was born..wow…i wonder what her mgt roster still looks like too. Im thinking that black models would rather go to Eileen Ford than Beth Ann Hardison..for obvious exposure reasons..but for other subtle ones as well…ie black people don’t like doing business with other black folks.
on December 17th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Love your blog and this post! She is definately one of my personal heroes.
on December 17th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Thanks once again for sending weekly inspiration my way. I really love reading your quips about how others inspire without really trying to inspire. Your choices seem to live by example.
on December 19th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
[...] Beth Ann Hardison. No taxation without representation. [...]
on January 20th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
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