MUSING :: Pat Cleveland

To be a model is a particularly precarious thing––a certain balance between having the the right look for the right moment and an element of charm that appeals to clients, designers and photographers are requisite for success in the industry. And then, of course, fashion is even more fickle still, as one year a girl may have it all and the next she may never book a show. With that being said, it takes someone rather special to withstand years in such an uncertain industry and still be lauded by the tastemakers of fashion long past the usual model lifespan. Back in the '70s, Pat Cleveland was one of fashion's biggest models, and she certainly had one of the most distinctive walks. She didn't saunter down the runway so much as she danced, with her arms elegantly whipping about like sails in the wind. In her career which has spanned over five decades, Pat has worked with best in the industry. Beyond her role as a “Halstonette”, she worked with Stephen Burrows, Thierry Mugler, Paco Rabanne, Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Dior, Valentino, etcv. She has appeared in countless fashion spreads and on the covers of such magazines as Vanity Fair, Essence, Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, Women’s Wear Daily, L’Officiel, GQ, etc. She also appeared in advertisement campaigns for Vidal Sasoon and Karl Lagerfeld. She has been photographed by the greats of the industry such as Steven Meisel and was a constant subject of photography and inspiration to Andy Warhol.

Pat met and married Paul van Ravenstein and became known as Patricia van Ravenstein. The two have two kids together, Anna and Noel. Married life and family life led Pat to putting her career aside. During this time she rarely accepted work in the industry. This was no great sacrifice for her as she had always dreamed of being the co-head of her own family. Family would always be her priority and come first no matter what.