Heroes

Bethann Hardison: Barrier-Breaking Model, Manager and Fashion Activist

By ABS Contributor | Published on January 21, 2013 | Updated on January 22, 2013 10:08 PM EST

On top of today’s presidential inauguration excitement, Modelinia.com celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a special tribute to legendary model, manager and fashion activist, Bethann Hardison.

Remembered as a true ground-breaker in the world of modeling and fashion, Hardison is credited with paving the way for some of today’s most prominent African-American models, following her own inspiring rise to the top as a young model in the 1970s.

First taking the fashion world by storm with her infamous runway walk in the Versailles fashion face-off of 1973, Hardison has since continued her efforts to fight racial boundaries and promote diversity both on and off the catwalk, marking her as one of fashion’s most influential voice.

Since opening her own modeling agency in 1984 – responsible for jump-starting the careers of such icons as Naomi Campbell and Tyson Beckford – Hardison has continued her long-fought efforts to fairly represent and promote young models of all race and ethnicities. She is the co-founder of the Black Girls’ Coalition — founded with fellow icon Iman in 1988 — and one of the contributing editors behind Vogue Italia’s now historic “All-Black” issue. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, Modelinia.com sat down with Bethann to discuss diversity in modeling, the state of the fashion industry today and her dream for future generations…

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