Pat Cleveland facts for kids

Patricia Cleveland (born June 23, 1950) is an American fashion model. She became famous in the 1960s and 1970s. Pat Cleveland was one of the first African-American models to become well-known on the runway and in magazines.

Early Life and Dreams

Pat Cleveland was born in New York City in 1950. Her father, Johnny Johnston, was a jazz saxophonist. Her mother, Lady Bird Cleveland, was an artist. Pat was raised by her mother in Harlem after her parents separated.

She went to the High School of Art and Design in New York. Pat hoped to become a fashion designer herself. Some of her first photos were taken when she was fourteen. These photos were taken by Adelaide Passen, one of the first women to work as a press photographer in the United States.

Pat Cleveland's Modeling Journey

Starting Her Career

Pat Cleveland's modeling career began in 1966. She was on a subway platform when an assistant for Vogue magazine noticed her. The assistant, who worked for fashion editor Carrie Donovan, was impressed by Pat's stylish clothes.

Vogue then published an article about Pat as a young designer. This led to Ebony magazine asking her to model for their Fashion Fair tour. Pat agreed and decided to try modeling.

After her tour with Ebony, Pat caught the eye of designers like Stephen Burrows. At 18, she signed with Wilhelmina Models. She soon worked with many top fashion industry people. These included Diana Vreeland and photographers like Irving Penn and Richard Avedon. She even became a muse for a short time to artist Salvador Dalí.

Pat first appeared as a model in American Vogue in June 1970. The same year, she was in the very first issue of Essence magazine.

Moving to Paris

Despite her early success, Pat felt that America had unfair attitudes towards black models. In 1971, she moved to Paris. This was suggested by fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez.

In Paris, she became a house model for Karl Lagerfeld at Chloé. Pat decided she would not return to the United States until a black model appeared on the American cover of Vogue.

During the 1970s, Pat modeled for famous designers. These included Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Dior. She also became one of Halston's favorite models. Halston called her "the greatest walking mannequin in the business."

The Battle of Versailles

A highlight of her career in Europe was the Battle of Versailles Fashion Show on November 28, 1973. This was a big fashion event held at the Palace of Versailles. It featured five French designers competing against five American designers.

Pat Cleveland was one of 36 models who walked the runway. Ten of these models were black, which was a very large number for that time. The event was a huge success and made history in the fashion world.

Returning to America

After Beverly Johnson became the first black model on the cover of American Vogue in August 1974, Pat Cleveland returned to the United States. She continued her modeling career. From the 1970s, she appeared on the covers of many magazines. These included Vanity Fair, Interview, Essence, and Cosmopolitan.

In the mid to late 1970s, Pat and her fiancé Sterling St. Jacques were a famous dancing couple. They were known for dancing at top New York nightclubs like Studio 54.

Modeling Again

After raising her two children, Pat Cleveland returned to modeling from time to time. In 1995, she started her own modeling agency in Milan. In 2003, Pat and her daughter Anna walked for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week.

She appeared in documentaries about fashion, such as Ultrasuede, In Search of Halston (2010). She was also a guest judge on America's Next Top Model. In 2013, she appeared on The Face, a modeling show hosted by Naomi Campbell.

In 2014, she walked the runway for Moschino in Milan. She also appeared on the cover of Numéro Russia. In 2015, she walked for Zac Posen at New York Fashion Week. Both Pat and her daughter Anna were chosen for an ad campaign for Lanvin.

In 2016, she walked for H&M during Paris Fashion Week. She also appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia with her family. In February 2019, at age 68, she walked the runway for Hellessy and Naeem Khan at New York Fashion Week. In March 2019, she walked for Tommy Hilfiger and Zendaya at Paris Fashion Week.

Her Impact on Fashion

As early as 1980, the term "supermodel" was used to describe Pat Cleveland. André Leon Talley, a former editor for Vogue, called her "the all-time superstar model." He also referred to her as "The first black supermodel."

In 2021, Pat Cleveland was played by actress Dilone in the Netflix miniseries Halston. This show told the story of designer Halston, who was a longtime friend of Pat's.

Personal Life

Pat Cleveland married Martin Snaric in 1978, but they later divorced. In 1982, she married Paul van Ravenstein, a former model and photographer. They have two children: Noel van Ravenstein (born 1984) and Anna Cleveland van Ravenstein (born 1989). Anna has also become a fashion model.

In 2016, Pat wrote a book called Walking with the Muses: A Memoir. It tells about her early life in Harlem and her career in fashion. Pat also works to get her mother, Ladybird Cleveland's art, accepted into the Smithsonian Institution.

In March 2019, Pat Cleveland became ill after walking in a fashion show in Paris. She had emergency surgery for colon cancer. Many people from the fashion industry donated money to help her with medical expenses. These included designers like Anna Sui and Marc Jacobs, and models like Carla Bruni. In September 2019, after more treatment, she returned to the runway.

Cleveland lives with her husband near Morristown, New Jersey.

See also

In Spanish: Pat Cleveland para niños