Projects
BALANCE DIVERSITY CASTING / CONSULTING RECENT CAMPAIGNS TV / FILM
Balance Diversity
Spearheaded by Hardison, Balance Diversity launched in September 2013 with the delivery of an open letter to the fashion councils of each of the major fashion cities--New York, London, Milan, and Paris. Joined by Naomi Campbell and Iman, Bethann addressed the international fashion industry for its lack of racial diversity and called for immediate action. Since then, racial diversity on the runways and in magazines and advertising have improved reaching all-time highs in 2018 according to The Fashion Spot’s Diversity Reports. The Diversity Coalition’s objective is to continue this improvement across the entire industry. Bethann’s activism and advocacy work is ongoing. She regularly speaks on racial diversity in fashion and in her new role as an advisor to the CFDA and a member of Gucci’s Changemakers Council aims to also foster racial diversity and inclusion behind the scenes throughout the corporate ranks of the industry.
Seven Women
“Seven Women” is a documentary movie produced and directed by Yvonne Scio.
This particular project is a deep insight in the life of 7 women: Rosita Missoni founder, with Ottavio, of fashion house Missoni; Rula Jabreal, Palestine journalist, Patricia Field costume designer for “Sex and the City” and “The Devil Wears Prada”; Bethann Hardison, first Afro-American top model and civil rights activist; Susanne Bartsch and Alba Clemente, New York artists and Fran Dresher, lead actress in the cult TV series “the Nanny”.
A tale of troubles and rewards, dreams and passions, the private journey of these incredible women told by their own honest voice.
Refinery29 x AARP Disrupt Aging 2019 Campaign by Sophia Li
Refinery29 partnered with AARP to create a cross-channel platform about society's view of aging. Bethann Hardison and Bea Arthur prove there's no magic age or gender identity required to become a CEO — it's just about demanding your seat at the table.
The Gospel According to André (2018)
From the segregated American South to the fashion capitals of the world, operatic fashion editor André Leon Talley's life and career are on full display, in a poignant portrait that includes appearances by Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Bethann Hardison, Valentino and Manolo Blahnik.
Available via Amazon Prime, Hulu, iTunes, and YouTube.
M2M: Elles - EPISODE 3: THE IMAGE MAKERS (2018)
The third episode of Elles turns the lens on photographers Sonia Sieff and Amanda de Cadenet, hairstylist Odile Gilbert, and former model/Diversity Coalition founder Bethann Hardison as they reflect on the brilliance of image creation.
Hold On
Directed by Christine Turner and starring Bethann Hardison and Jimmie Jeter, “Hold On” premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2017. In this short film family bonds are tested when a young man is left to care for his grandmother one morning.
W Magazine: I Am an Immigrant: 81 Fashion Celebrities Stand Together
In 2017, in the wake of President Donald J. Trump’s executive order restricting immigration from seven, predominantly Muslim countries, no fewer than 80 of fashion’s most recognizable faces come together to make a statement in solidarity with those affected by the refugee ban: I am an immigrant.
Allergan’s #ActuallySheCan 2016 Campaign with Iman by Inez and Vinoodh
A female empowerment campaign that captures the power of female mentorship by highlighting the relationships of women and those who guided and inspired them.
M2M’s Battle At Versailles: The Competition that Shook the Fashion Industry (2016) and Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution (2012)
In these two documentaries Bethann, joined by several other fashion luminaries, provides commentary and reflects on her experience modeling at the legendary Battle of Versailles in 1973 - a night that forever changed the course of fashion.
Battle At Versailles: The Competition that Shook the Fashion Industry available in full on the right or via YouTube.
Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution available via Amazon Prime, iTunes, and YouTube.
Michael Bastian SS2016, FW2014, SS2014, FW2013, & SS2013
Casting by Bethann Hardison
Barneys Better Than Ever Spring 2015 Campaign by Bruce Weber
An installment in a series of collaborations between Barneys and Weber that features subjects that break the mold of traditional fashion photography, highlighting a diversity of age, background, and ethnicity.
Models.com: Diversity Rules 2015 Series
4-part series showcasing the improvement of the representation of models of color by four of the industry’s top agencies - Ford, IMG, New York Models, and Wilhelmina.
STYLELIKEU: "What's Underneath" Series (2015)
In “What’s Underneath” guests to strip down while commenting on issues surrounding self image, style, and identity. In this epsiode Bethann Hardison's recounts the struggles and triumphs of her journey through the fashion industry.