Pat Cleveland facts for kids

Patricia Cleveland, born on June 23, 1950, is a famous American fashion model. She became very successful in the 1960s and 1970s. Pat was one of the first African-American models to become well-known. She was famous for both runway shows and magazine photos.

Early Life and Dreams

Pat Cleveland was born in New York City in 1950. Her father, Johnny Johnston, played jazz saxophone. Her mother, Lady Bird Cleveland, was an artist. Pat's parents separated when she was young. Her mother raised her in Harlem.

Pat went to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School to study performing arts. She also studied design at New York's High School of Art and Design. She hoped to become a fashion designer. Some of her first photos were taken when she was 14. These were taken by Adelaide Leavy, one of the first women press photographers.

Becoming a Model

How Pat Started Modeling

Pat Cleveland's modeling career began in 1966. She was on a subway platform going to class. An assistant to Carrie Donovan, a fashion editor at Vogue, noticed her. Donovan liked Pat's stylish clothes. She invited Pat to visit the Vogue offices.

The magazine later wrote an article about Pat. They featured her as a promising young designer. Because of this article, Ebony magazine contacted her. They asked Pat to model for their Fashion Fair national runway tour. Pat agreed and put her design dreams on hold. She decided to try modeling instead.

Moving to Paris

After her tour with Ebony, Pat caught the eye of designers. These included Jacques Tiffeau and Stephen Burrows. At 18, she signed with Wilhelmina Models. This happened after designer Oleg Cassini suggested her. Pat had been turned down by another agency earlier.

Soon, she worked with many top fashion people. These included Diana Vreeland. Famous photographers like Irving Penn and Richard Avedon took her picture. She even became a muse for Salvador Dalí for a short time. Pat first appeared in American Vogue in June 1970. She also appeared in the first issue of Essence magazine that same year.

Despite her early success, Pat felt unhappy in America. She felt there were unfair attitudes towards black models. So, she moved to Paris in 1971. This was suggested by fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez. In Paris, she became a house model for Karl Lagerfeld at Chloé. Pat promised not to return to the U.S. until a black model was on the cover of American Vogue.

Success in the 1970s

During the 1970s, Pat modeled for many famous designers. These included Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, and Yves Saint Laurent. She also worked for Thierry Mugler and Christian Dior. Pat became one of Halston's favorite models. This group was called the Halstonettes. Halston called Pat "the greatest walking mannequin in the business." In 2019, she was in a documentary film about him called Halston.

A major moment in her career was the The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show in 1973. This was a big event held at Théâtre Gabriel. It was a fashion show-off between French and American designers. Five French designers competed against five American designers. The event was a huge international fashion show. Many important people attended. Pat was one of 36 models who walked the runway. Ten of these models were black, which was very unusual for that time.

Returning to America

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

In the mid to late 1970s, Pat and her fiancé Sterling St. Jacques were a famous dancing pair. People magazine called them the "hottest couple in America." They danced at top New York nightclubs like Studio 54. They were often seen with friends like Halston and Andy Warhol.

Later Career and Family Life

Modeling Again

After raising her two children, Pat Cleveland modeled sometimes. In 1995, she started her own modeling agency in Milan. In 2003, Pat and her daughter Anna walked for Chanel in Paris. In 2010, she was in a documentary about Halston. She also appeared as a guest judge on America's Next Top Model.

In 2012, she was in two more fashion documentaries. These were Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution and About Face: Supermodels Then and Now. In 2013, she was on The Face, a modeling show hosted by Naomi Campbell. She also appeared in an ad campaign for MAC Cosmetics.

Pat continued to model in the 2010s. In 2014, she walked for Moschino in Milan. She was also on the cover of Numéro Russia. In 2015, she returned to New York Fashion Week. She walked for Zac Posen. Both Pat and her daughter Anna modeled for his collection. They also appeared in Vogue Japan. In 2016, she walked for H&M during Paris Fashion Week. She was on the cover of Vogue Italia with her family. In 2019, at age 68, she walked the runway for Hellessy and Naeem Khan. She also walked for Tommy Hilfiger and Zendaya with other famous models.

Her Legacy

As early as 1980, people called Pat Cleveland a "supermodel." André Leon Talley, a Vogue editor, called her "The all-time superstar model." He also called her "The first black supermodel." Vogue contributor Tina Isaac-Goizé also called Pat a "supermodel."

In 2021, a model and actress named Dilone played Pat Cleveland. This was in the Netflix show Halston. The show was about her friend, the designer Halston.

Personal Life

Pat Cleveland married model Martin Snaric in 1978. They later divorced. In 1982, she married Paul van Ravenstein. He was a Dutch former model and photographer. They have two children: Noel (born 1984) and Anna Cleveland (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 modeling career. Pat also works to get her mother's art into the Smithsonian Institution. Pat is a follower of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, a spiritual leader.

In March 2019, Pat became ill after a fashion show in Paris. She had surgery. Her husband shared that they needed help with medical costs. Many people from the fashion world donated money. These included designers like Anna Sui and Marc Jacobs. Models like Carla Bruni and Helena Christensen also helped. In September 2019, after more treatment, she returned to the runway. She walked for designers Nicole Miller and Chiara Boni.

Pat Cleveland lives with her husband near Morristown, New Jersey.

See also

In Spanish: Pat Cleveland para niños