Invisible Beauty

Directed by Bethann Hardison, Frédéric Tcheng |USA | 2023 | 115 min | Rated M

NSW Premiere

Bethann Hardison burst onto the world’s fashion runways with a defiant strut and sui generis personality. The essential memoir of fashion pioneer Hardison, Invisible Beauty shines a spotlight on one of the fashion industry’s most influential icons who, as a pioneering Black model, modeling agent and entrepreneur, has pushed the boundaries of global fashion culture and has been at the forefront of progress throughout her career.

Co-directed by Bethann Hardison and Frédéric Tcheng (Dior And I, Halston), Invisible Beauty traces Hardison’s impact from runway shows in the 1970s to today’s corporate board rooms.

Featuring intimate interviews with luminaries including Iman, Whoopi Goldberg, Tyson Beckford, Tracee Ellis Ross, Zendaya, Fran Lebowitz, Pat Cleveland, Naomi Campbell, Bruce Weber, Stephen Burrows and more.

"Hardison is never less than a fascinating subject — an artist whose medium is industrial disruption.” - NY Times

"Invisible Beauty expertly highlights the origin and legacy of a woman who is arguably fashion’s most vital figure.” - RogerEbert.com

“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

Screens with short film
Marrma Wanga
Director: Simon Upton

Marrma Wanga follows former Olympic swimmer and acclaimed Australian Photographer Simon Upton on his journey into the remote Indigenous community of Milingimbi in East Arnhem Land. The film follows fashion model Tarlisa Gaykanmagu in her personal journey from Milingimbi to Milan where she becomes the first Indigenous Australian model to ever walk at Milan Fashion Week. As she walks the runway alongside some of the world’s top runway models, Tarlisa’s dream becomes reality. In doing so, she hopes to inspire other young people to follow their dreams.