Bethann Hardison - former model, advocate, and founder of the modeling and management agency that bears her name - has long been a groundbreaker in the world of fashion. She has helped guide the careers of some of the most prominent models in recent times and through her decades of advocacy work has challenged and helped change common notions of beauty by consistently championing diversity in the fashion industry. In 2014 Bethann received the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Eleanor Lambert Founder's Award in recognition of her tireless work championing diversity in fashion for over three decades. As she continues to monitor diversity on the runways, Bethann has expanded the diversity initiative to address inclusivity issues in other parts of the industry with a focus on helping young fashion designers of color to develop their businesses. In 2018, she was hired as an advisor to the CFDA, and in 2019, she became an inaugural member of Gucci’s Changemakers Council. In 2020, she became Gucci's Executive Advisor for Global Equity and Cultural Engagement and was also named to the CFDA's Board of Directors. Currently, Bethann maintains management for Tyson Beckford and Kadeem Hardison. She is working on her autobiography, developing a documentary titled Invisible Beauty, which chronicles her life story and industrywide advocacy efforts, and is also a consulting producer on HBO’s upcoming scripted version of The Battle of Versailles by Academy Award-nominated director Ava Duvernay.
