Fashion legend celebrates ‘Versailles’ show
It’s been nearly 60 years since model Pat Cleveland was in Houston, walking the catwalk for Ebony Fashion Fair, a traveling fashion show with dazzling clothes and runway performances.
That was before she made history in the famous “Battle of Versailles” show in Paris in 1973 that pitted five French fashion designers against five American designers. Cleveland was one of 10 Black models wearing couture looks by Oscar de la Renta, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Bill Blass and Anne Klein. Having that many Black models on the runway was unheard of then, and, in many ways, it still is now.
With the 50th anniversary of “Battle of Versailles,” Cleveland has been making appearances across the country and returned to Houston this week to celebrate with the premiere of “The Girl From 7th Avenue,” an animated short film that tells of Cleveland’s rise in the fashion industry and her experience in the Paris show. Cleveland also sings in the film.
Cleveland was the first African American fashion model in a Paris couture show and one of the first to grace the cover of a fashion magazine. In 1971, she moved to France, promising not to return to the U.S. until a Black model was on the cover of Vogue. She moved back after Beverly Johnson became the first Black model on the magazine’s cover in 1974.
Cleveland talked with the Houston Chronicle about making history, her new film and her daughter, who is now following in her modeling footsteps.
Q: What does it mean to you that you were a part of history in the “Battle of Versailles”?
A: We wore the clothes in a way that they had never seen in France, and the way we moved and how we presented the clothes. So, for many girls of color in America, that opened doors for them to work with more countries in Europe. For the Americans, it opened the door to bring ready-towear worldwide as being recognized as high fashion. So, it was a historic thing.
Q: Did you know you were making history?
A: I think the fact that there were so many girls of color in the show who hadn’t been recognized was a change. We knew it. Many of the girls I worked with had never been to Europe or had never had opportunities like that. There was a lot of racism going on in America, and it gave girls of color recognition to be seen as beautiful.
Q: How did “The Girl From 7th Avenue” come about?
A: I noticed artist Antonio Contreres’ fashion cartoons on Instagram, and I kept following him. One day, he responded to me, and we got in touch. Before you knew it, he was making these sketches of me. He made over 2,000 drawings for this wonderful illustrated film, and my voice is narrating.
Q: How has fashion changed?
A: It is a bit of a conveyor belt now. In the shows when I was coming up, we were individual women with individual looks. Now, it’s the same type of look on every girl. It’s not individual.
Q: Has the industry gotten better in terms of cultural representation?
A: Yes, definitely, but it’s all political. You know, one year, they want Russian girls, then Chinese girls and then you won’t see those models next season. Fashion is ruled by politics, and that’s the truth.
It’s an industry about money.
Q: Are there any young models who you see yourself in?
A: Yes, my daughter Anna Cleveland. She’s one of the top models. She’s on the cover of many magazines, more than I did. She’s really special.
Q: Have you given her any advice about the fashion industry?
A: I’ve told her to get a good agent and be a lady. That’s it.