Dear Bethann.

So once upon a time, I met Bethann Hardison.
I went to one of her speakings here in atlanta, at savannah college of art and design, where she spoke at a podium and sternly inspired the lives of every young african american girl in the audience that came to hear her speak. I think it changed my life, when she said " I want to see the face of fashion change", lol or something like that. She came to speak about the glorious fashion industry.

Here's a little history on the legend. Once upon a time she stood on an elevator with a complete stranger.(fashion designer)Willi Smith, the invitation was stretched for her to be one of the first black supermodels of our time. In 1981, she paired with Willi Smith and the two started an agency, entitled, "Click". Her eye captured some of the most eclectic faces for the agency.

Stated from Clutch Magazine - it was during this time that Hardison was approached by a friend who was keenly aware of her potential to change the face of the fashion industry. He agreed to put up the money and in a leap of faith, Bethann Management came to be in 1984. Its initial roster included 16 models – mostly African American.

Now in the time I heard her speak she came across some key factors that we see in today's fashion industry yet our comments are quiet as kept. There arent too many, brown skin girls on the catwalk or covers of top fashion magazines, its definitely time for the change. She mentioned she was definitely going to be apart of that.

Bethann Management has made her mark clearly evident in today's fashion world.In Essence Magazine, one of the many magazines women go to for fashion advice,Hardison revealed, “The industry is looking for Black images that are compatible with their white counterparts, but always with the white images first and Black images–if at all—second.” It was this unfortunate fact that led Bethann and close friend Iman to establish the Black Girls Coalition, an alliance responsible for making real strides within the fashion community, such as aiding Naomi Campbell in becoming the first Black model to cover Allure.

Another explicit statement that i definitely approved was that, "In the United States of America, this is the one industry that still has the freedom to refer to people by their color and reject them in their work. I came up in the Sixties. I feel it’s the worst it’s ever been.”

So to end this experience off nicely, my sister was the one who introduced me to this fabulous woman, she's encouraged me from day one to continue to follow my dreams, forever i shall be passionate about my desire to be a FASHION STYLIST. I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Bethann and Friends and of course my lovely sister, Im greatful for the experience and sooner or later i hope to work with Bethann for the rest of my life.

P.S.
Happy to know she played apart in the Vogue Italia - All Black Issue.






























:) Fin.