Model legend Pat Cleveland strikes a pose in V Magazine 144, October, 2023. Oliver Volquardsen styles the now 73-year-old global daughter of diversity who is part African American, part Cherokee, part Swedish and part Irish.

Photographer Nick Thompson [IG] is behind the lens, capturing Cleveland the original wearing Burberry, David Koma, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more, including vintage. Cartier jewelry is used exclusively.

V’s John Kopp writes that “André Leon Talley once dubbed her “the Josephine Baker of international runways.”’

The word ‘supermodel’ wasn’t in popular usage when Pat Cleveland danced away any remaining inner inhibitions at Studio 54. An established and cherished muse of designer Halston, clearly Pat Cleveland deserved the title.

Taking a REAL Stand on Diversity

Model Anna’s Cleveland’s mother always stood for diversity among fashion models, while acknowledging what is now a familiar theme at AOC: France was less racist than America and remains less racist than the US today.

In 1971, the elder Cleveland moved to France and refused to live in America again until US Vogue featured a Black model on its cover. After Beverly Johnson landed a cover in 1974, Cleveland returned to New York.

To all the young models and influencers who take a stand on Instagram today — one that may be taken down an hour later if criticism mounts about the post — Pat Cleveland showed us 50 years ago what real moral courage looks like.

Newlywed Anna Cleveland, who married the cofounder of Dazed, Jefferson Hack in July 2023, joins the V discussion with her mother. The duo joins forces “to discuss the desire for expression that defines their lineage, inspirations and all the grit, glitz, and glory that goes into a career spanning six decades.”