The legendary Bethann Hardison is featured in the latest issue of V Magazine. The interview was conducted by another fashion legend—Iman— for their “Heroes” column. Check out a snippet from the interview below.
IMAN: So, Beth, we are here in Stone Ridge in upstate New York on the Fourth of July. I think this is very appropriate, because when I came to the United States, the way you welcomed me, I compared you to the Statue of Liberty, right?
BETHANN HARDISON: I was working with [designer] Stephen Burrows and I made an appointment for you to come in from Wilhelmina to do a small show, and you were so nervous you were trembling like a bird. When you went to put the shoes on, you were having a hard time so I got down on my knees to try to help you. The other girls were hating you and whispering, “Look at her putting on the shoe for the princess.” [Laughs] I looked at you and said, “You can understand what they’re saying, can’t you?”
IMAN And I said, “Yes!” It meant a lot to me, and we’re still friends to this day. And . . . not a lot of people know this, but you were my maid of honor when I married my husband.
BH: I was so stunned when you asked me! But you said, “Who else could be better?”
IMAN: Obviously a lot of people know about you and your history and what you mean to us models. What’s interesting is that you actually were a model!
BH: Oh, yes, I was a runway model. I came from Willi Smith, who was the first junior designer to become successful, and I was considered his muse. Anyway, I was scouted by Gillis McGill, and she took me on. She didn’t understand me, but she took me because I was skinny and dark and all the other black girls at the time were light brown with hair that moved. I looked like a boy—I had a very short Afro and big eyes, very skinny . . .
IMAN: Tell me something about Willi. Because so few people knew about Willi, and he was such a pioneer.
BH: Willi started the idea of street fashion. You couldn’t go outside without seeing any WilliWear. Everybody wore him. He was so well educated—he was the finest young man, and he was charming. Everyone liked him.
To read the rest of interview please visit www.vmagazine.com.
Thank you for this article. As women of color, we need to be constantly reminded of the pioneers who have come before us.
Beautiful lady. 
Oh Wow!!! Thank you for the heads-up. I read a great article about her in Arise magazine. She is awesome.
LOVE Bethann… In a perfect world, SHE would be where Anna Wintour is today…. The lady BREATHES class, elegance and style, and knows a thing or two about fashion! Thanks for this!