Since her breakout as one of the most high-profile Black models in the 1970s, fashion world titan Bethann Hardison has advocated tirelessly for diversity in the industry, both on and off the runway. In Invisible Beauty, co-directed by Hardison herself, French documentarian Frédéric Tcheng offers a riveting look at the pioneer’s life and legacy, tracing her audacious efforts to challenge the status quo. What gradually emerges is a vibrant portrait of an icon’s ambitious attempts to revolutionize the fashion world—and indeed, our very image of beauty. Mixing fascinating archival footage and interviews with fashion icons from multiple eras (Naomi Campbell, Iman, Zendaya), this inspiring documentary adroitly balances both retrospective and contemporary perspectives on representation, showing how we got to where we are, and how far we still have to go. Constructed with an elegance and verve to match Hardison’s rebellious and radical spirit, the film is an essential reminder that diversity is not just a slogan, but the result of life-long struggle.
Invisible Beauty will likely make you hungry for Hardison’s book. But in a twist, one might wonder, can it be as good as the movie?
Variety
Series Media Partner
Iman, Fran Lebowitz, Tracee Ellis Ross, Whoopi Goldberg, Zendaya
USA
2023
Portraits
English
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Executive Producer
David Chan, Robina Riccitiello, Chris Stolte, Heidi Stolte
Producer
Lisa Cortés
Screenwriter
Bethann Hardison, Frédéric Tcheng, Chris McNabb
Cinematography
Mia Cioffi Henry, Frédéric Tcheng
Editor
Chris McNabb, Frédéric Tcheng
Original Music
Marc Anthony Thompson
Directors
Bethann Hardison
Advocate, model, and muse—with a career spanning over five decades, Bethann Hardison has gone from working in New York City’s Garment District to founding her namesake agency where she guided the careers of some of the most prominent models in the world. In 1988, she founded the Black Girls Coalition, and in 2013, she spearheaded the launch of the Diversity Coalition sparking an industry-wide movement for diversity and inclusion. Bethann currently serves on the CFDA’s Board of Directors and as Gucci’s Executive Advisor for Global Equity and Cultural Engagement.
Frédéric Tcheng
Frédéric Tcheng is a French-born filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. He co_produced and co-edited Valentino: The Last Emperor. He is the co-director of the acclaimed documentary Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel, which the New York Times called “dizzily enjoyable.” His award-winning directorial debut Dior and I premiered at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. His film Halston was executive produced by CNN Films and premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. He has served as a filmmaking mentor for Queer Art, a non-profit arts organization in New York. He studied engineering in France and is a graduate of the film program at Columbia University’s School of the Arts.
Filmography: Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel (2011); Dior and I (2014); Halston (2019)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Palimpsest: The Story of a Name
Drawing on home movies and diaries from the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s, Canadian filmmaker Mary Stephen (Eric Rohmer's editor for many years) investigates the origins of her surname. After all, she was born in Hong Kong to Chinese parents. Or were they... ?
Schindler Space Architect
RM Schindler is now recognized as one of the most important modernist architects of the era, the man who laid the groundwork for what is now considered the epitome of California indoor-outdoor living. This doc sheds light on a previously unsung genius.
Out of Sight
Adapted from Elmore Leonard's novel about the mutual attraction between an escaped bank robber and the FBI agent on his tail, Out of Sight is sexy and romantic, cosmopolitan, and full of Soderbergh's sleight of hand, shuffling time like a card sharp.
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Sasha Waters' documentary takes us through the life of America's best-selling late twentieth century poet, a private woman who shared her innermost thoughts and made them indispensable.
The Big Lebowski
The Coens' whacky, warped slacker generation riff on Raymond Chandler, a shaggy dog story which delights in going sideways at every turn. Jeff Bridges is the Dude, and what he really wants is to get his rug back...
Searching for Satyrus
Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Rena Effendi embarks on a quest to track down the very rare Satyrus Effendi, a butterfly discovered by her father in the mountains of Aberbaijain. But what she finds is altogether more personal, and more upsetting.