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Hardison, Bethann, 1985 May 20

 File — Box: Mixed pav_9, cassette: 1.18 A-B; 1.19 A

Scope and Contents

In the first of three segments, Bethann Hardison discusses her modeling agency, Click. Presenting a slideshow of fashion photographs, Hardison outlines the various activities associated with building a career in fashion photography. She relates stories about her career, responding to questions from participants throughout the workshop. In the second and third segments, Hardison continues discussing her profession with workshop participants and offers career advice. The workshop concludes with a question and answer session.

Inscriptions

Container
Bethann Hardison - Communication and Fashion Modeling - 5/20/85 - Tape 1; Fashion Focus 5/20/85 - Bethann Hardison - Tape 2 - Side A / Walter Thomas - Tape 1 - Side A & B
Item Label
Bethann Hardison 5/20/85 - Tape 1[1B]; Bethann Hardison - Tape 2A - 5/20/85 / Walter Thomas - 1A - 5/20/85

Dates

  • 1985 May 20

Extent

2 1/4 inch Audio Cassette (01:14:03 total duration)

Biographical / Historical

Bethann Hardison is an African American model and activist. One of the first high profile black models, Hardison has been an advocate for diversity in the fashion industry. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and took courses at New York University and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Active as a model since the 1960s, she later became a modeling agent and activist, founding her own agency, Bethann Management. In 1988 she founded the activist group, Black Girl Coalition to provide advocacy for African American models. In the 1990s she turned her attention to television, and was a co-executive producer for several sitcoms. Throughout her career she worked for Allure, Harper's Bazaar, and Vogue. She has been a consultant for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Gucci, and has received several awards, including the Frederick Douglass award in 2013, and the CFDA’s Foundersa Award in 2014.