'Invisible Beauty' | What it's about and is the documentary worth watching
Documentary name: Invisible Beauty
Platform: VoD
Country of origin: USA
Date of General Release: September 15, 2023
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 1 hour 55 minutes
What is 'Invisible Beauty' about?
'Invisible Beauty' charts the life of trailblazing black model, agent and activist Bethann Hardison. From her modeling zenith in 1973's infamous Battle of Versailles to her stellar, if fraught, career as a modeling agent and the foundation of the Black Girls Coalition with supermodel and friend Iman. The documentary is studded with famous faces from the modeling and acting worlds including Naomi Campbell, Zendaya, Aurora James and Tracee Ellis Ross. The film premiered at the Sundance festival in January 2023 and had a general release in September.
Who directed 'Invisible Beauty'?
Hardison is credited as a co-director, but there is some serious pedigree in the other director's chair too in Frédéric Tcheng. Tcheng has been immersed in the world of high fashion and previously directed 'Dior and I'. No stranger to documentaries Techeng also produced 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' and directed a documentary on 'Halston' (not to be confused with the Ewan McGregor Netflix miniseries on the same subject).
Is 'Invisible Beauty' worth watching?
Yes it is, not only is Hardison a pivotal figure in the world of fashion but her rise to the pinnacle of the industry and her later battles to ensure equality for Black models make for riveting viewing. The global reviews have been gushing and with good reason.
MEAWW Watch ranking
3 out of 5
'Invisible Beauty' trailer