Latest News and Updates

Fri - July 29, 2022 11:17 am     A+ | a-
Antonio Contreras Film Poster -Pat Cleveland, Billie Blair, Bethann Hardison, Ramona Saunders
Antonio Contreras Film Poster -Pat Cleveland, Billie Blair, Bethann Hardison, Ramona Saunders
Hi Fashion & Music World, 
 
“The Girl From 7th Avenue”-Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution"

Filmmaker - Antonio Contreras
Film Documentary – “The Girl From 7th Avenue”-Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution

 Narrated by Pat Cleveland 
The Film Features several songs performed by Pat Cleveland

Songs Written by Maurice Lynch 
Maurice Lynch Music also  contributed to the Film Score & Sound Track 

 
“The Girl From 7th Avenue”-Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution"..by Fimmaker Antonio Contreras opened another great door for Maurice Lynch Music in animation. ." Pat Cleveland never ceases to amaze me and our journey just keeps growing".. Maurice Lynch 
 
An animated fantasy celebrating the early career of pioneering Fashion Model Pat Cleveland Pat partied with Andy Warhol, lived with Karl Lagerfeld, inspired Salvador Dalí, refused Muhammed Ali’s proposal, and took on the fashion industry for not representing black models on the cover of magazines and on the runway in the early 70s…

 Pat Cleveland, the first black super model, tells her story, in her own words, in this illustrated documentary. And how the 1973 Battle of Versailles Fashion Show in Paris changed the course of fashion history. The show hosted some of the most well-known designers in the world and boasted guests like Grace Kelly, Jane Birkin, and Josephine Baker. Pat was a big part of that story when the fashion industry elite took over The Palace of Versailles for a night.

“The Girl From 7th Avenue” - Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution. With more than 2,000 hand-painted watercolors by Antonio Contreras, songs performed by Pat Cleveland, and music by Maurice Lynch and music by One A (aka Gehno Aviance), this documentary received several Festival Best Award Nominations and is being  currently the buzz on the fashion runways worldwide.

World Premiere July 30th at the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival 2022
Wed - July 27, 2022 11:49 am     A+ | a-
Maurice Lynch Music - The Battle of Versailles: American Fashion Takes the Stage  @ The Met in NYC
Maurice Lynch Music - The Battle of Versailles: American Fashion Takes the Stage @ The Met in NYC
Hi Fashion & Music World, 

Tonight  Free Virtual Event - The Battle of Versailles: American Fashion Takes the Stage - Here is a Video Clip to get you ready from- @bcunninghamfilm " The Times of Bill Cunningham"  @mauricelynchmusic.ny "Tonight Josephine". 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CghORu_OthF/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Hear from trailblazing American fashion models as they reflect on their participation in the historic 1973 fashion show known as the Battle of Versailles. The transatlantic fashion face-off is commonly regarded as the moment when the United States took its rightful place on the global fashion stage.

Moderated by Robin Givhan, Author
Pat Cleveland, Model
Bethann Hardison, Model
Chris Royer, Model

The Battle of Versailles: American Fashion Takes the Stage
WEDNESDAY / JULY 27
6:00–7:00 P.M.
Free, though advance registration is required.

Register now 
https://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-speaks/free-lectures/battle-of-versailles?&eid=A001_%7bD403A4AF-74D4-4341-A4DF-8599CC47EDF0%7d_20220718105453

Presented in conjunction with the exhibition In America: An Anthology of Fashion.
#metmuseum, #metcostumeinstitute #metgala

Maurice Lynch Music 
 
Fri - July 15, 2022 4:33 pm     A+ | a-
Maurice Lynch Music - “The NOMINATIONS are in and “CONGRATULATIONS” to Filmmaker Antonio Contreras,
Maurice Lynch Music - “The NOMINATIONS are in and “CONGRATULATIONS” to Filmmaker Antonio Contreras,
Hi Fashion & Music World,

“The NOMINATIONS are in and “CONGRATULATIONS” to Filmmaker Antonio Contreras, Gehno Aviance and Pat Cleveland - “The Girl From 7th Avenue” - Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution by Filmmaker Antonio Contreras,and Gehno Aviance. The Film has received NOMINATIONS in the following categories.. Best Sound Design - Covers Music

Best Picture 
Best Documentary 
Best Sound Design 
Best Editing 
Best Narration 
Best Animation 
Best Creative Concept 
 
This Film will celebrate Miss Pat Cleveland and her early career and will feature several songs performed by Pat Cleveland from Maurice Lynch Music. Maurice Lynch also contributed original music to the Films Score and Sound Track. " I have always wanted to work on an animated film and this has really been a great opportunity. Watching Antonio's sketches and artwork come to life was truly amazing"........... Congratulations on all the NOMINATIONS Antonio.

The Film will premiere July 30th at the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival in San Diego, Ca.
 
                                                              *****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***** 

Antonio’s Closet Productions Announces Opening of ““The Girl From 7th Avenue” - Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution”.
 
Pioneering model Pat Cleveland is featured in the latest production of Antonio’s Closet Productions. 

Pat partied with Andy Warhol, lived with Karl Lagerfeld, inspired Salvador Dalí, refused Muham med Ali’s proposal, and took on the fashion industry for not representing black models on the cover of magazines and on the runway in the early 70s… @Pat Cleveland, the first black super model, tells her story, in her own words, in this illustrated documentary “The Girl From 7th Avenue” - Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution. 

With more than 2,000 hand-painted watercolors by Antonio Contreras, songs performed by Pat Cleveland, and music by Maurice Lynch and music by One A (aka Gehno Aviance), this documentary is currently the buzz on the fashion runways worldwide. World premiere this July 30th at the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival. 

Maurice Lynch
Producer
 
Sun - July 3, 2022 6:26 pm     A+ | a-
Maurice Lynch Music Celebrates New Film Release-“The Girl From 7th Avenue” featuring Pat Cleveland
Maurice Lynch Music Celebrates New Film Release-“The Girl From 7th Avenue” featuring Pat Cleveland
Hi Fashion & Music World,

Maurice Lynch Music is looking forward to the upcoming film release of:
 
 “The Girl From 7th Avenue” - Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution by Filmmaker  Antonio Contreras,and Gehno Aviance. This Film will celebrate Pat Cleveland and her early career and will feature several songs performed by Pat Cleveland from Maurice Lynch Music. Maurice Lynch also contributed original music to the Films Score and Sound Track. " I have always wanted to work on a animated film and this has really been a great opportunity. Watching Antonio's sketches and artwork come to life was truly amazing"

The Film will  premiere July 30th at the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival in San Diego, Ca.

Official Press Release -  *****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***** 

Antonio’s Closet Productions Announces Opening of ““The Girl From 7th Avenue” - Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution”.
 
Pioneering model Pat Cleveland is featured in the latest production of Antonio’s Closet Productions. 

Pat partied with Andy Warhol, lived with Karl Lagerfeld, inspired Salvador Dalí, refused Muham med Ali’s proposal, and took on the fashion industry for not representing black models on the cover of magazines and on the runway in the early 70s… @Pat Cleveland, the first black super model, tells her story, in her own words, in this illustrated documentary “The Girl From 7th Avenue” - Pat Cleveland and the Runway Revolution. 

With more than 2,000 hand-painted watercolors by Antonio Contreras, songs performed by Pat Cleveland, and music by Maurice Lynch and music by One A (aka Gehno Aviance), this documentary is currently the buzz on the fashion runways worldwide. World premiere this July 30th at the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival. 

Antonio's Closet Productions is an award-winning independent film production company, that produces dramatic and documentary films with a focus on the world of Fashion, the LGBT community, and Latin heritage. The organization has had 12 releases since 2013, amassing a total of 8 awards at various International Film Festivals, including the La Jolla International Film Festival in California.

Maurice Lynch
Producer
 
Tue - June 21, 2022 11:17 am     A+ | a-
 Pat Cleveland Host & Performs songs by Maurice Lynch at Manolo Blahnik's Summer Garden Party in NY
Pat Cleveland Host & Performs songs by Maurice Lynch at Manolo Blahnik's Summer Garden Party in NY
Hi Fashion & Music World,

It was a great evening of Fashion, Music & Style in New York City to Celebrate and Honor Manolo Blahnik
at their Summer Garden Party Hosted by Kristina Blahnik & Pat Cleveland.

What a magical evening at the Loft at Rockefeller center on 5th ave.  In the shadow of the Olympic Tower and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.. Not only was Pat Cleveland a host but she also performed her New Single “I’m Falling In Love” by Maurice Lynch and other classics.   The audience played games and danced the evening away.  In attendance were Manolo Blahnik executives Andrew Wright, Sara Byworth and other celebrities.

Maurice Lynch
Producer

Please visit me on Instagram...https://www.instagram.com/mauricelynchmusic.
For News and Updates.... http://mauricelynchmusic.com/News.php

Pat Cleveland - Tonight Josephine -  Available Now on all Digital Platforms
https://music.apple.com/us/album/tonight-josephine/1122370887?i=1122371081
http://mauricelynchmusic.com/tonightjosephine-patcleveland/
 
Thu - May 19, 2022 2:41 pm     A+ | a-
Pat Cleveland Opens “Black Venus Exhibit”@ Fotogafiska Museum with Stories & Songs by Maurice Lynch
Pat Cleveland Opens “Black Venus Exhibit”@ Fotogafiska Museum with Stories & Songs by Maurice Lynch
If you are in New York City please visit the Fotografiska Museum for the “Black Venus Exhibit”. 

Pat Cleveland opened this incredible exhibit with Songs & Stories. To celebrate BLACK VENUS, curated by Aindrea Emelife,all joined the cultural icon Pat Cleveland as she shared her experiences as a defining presence in the realms of fashion, art and music.              https://www.fotografiska.com/nyc/events/frieze-pat-cleveland/

Pat Cleveland was the first Artist I recorded on Maurice Lynch Music and I am so honored to have my music presented and featured in this exhibit and to have Miss Pat Cleveland perform my songs in her show and have "Maurice Lynch & The Harlem Musical Revue" provide music and background vocals for Miss Cleveland.
 
This was my groups first time performing since the Pandemic and it was great to be in such a prestigious venue to open this event. 

BLACK VENUS is an exhibition that surveys the legacy of Black women in visual culture – from fetishized, colonial-era caricatures, to the present-day reclamation of the rich complexity of Black womanhood by 19 artists (of numerous nationalities and with birth years spanning 1942 to 1997). This exhibition is a celebration of Black beauty, an investigation into the many faces of Black femininity and the shaping of Black women in the public conscious – then and now.https://www.fotografiska.com/nyc/exhibitions/black-venus/

Maurice Lynch
Producer
 
Mon - April 4, 2022 9:52 am     A+ | a-
Ronald van der Kemp Couture Spring 2022-Celebrates Pat Cleveland's New Single " I'm Falling I Love"
Ronald van der Kemp Couture Spring 2022-Celebrates Pat Cleveland's New Single " I'm Falling I Love"
Maurice Lynch Music: is excited to celebrate with Pat Cleveland and her success in Ronald van der Kemp Spring Couture Show  debuting her new single " I'm Falling In Love" by Maurice Lynch which premiered in the show all major publications have covered the success of this great event. We wanted to share this article and layout from WWD ( Womens Wear Daily).... Enjoy.

Ronald van der Kemp found out on New Year’s Eve that his physical show scheduled for Paris would not be able to go ahead due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. In a way, the virtual world was a fitting setting for his collection, which saw him thinking about the metaverse, intentionally making the designs and models look like avatars through the screen.
“I’m intrigued by it but it’s very not me,” said the designer during a Zoom preview. “The carbon footprint of NFTs is enormous.”
There was nothing virtual about the techniques involved. “It might be very modern and virtual, but the techniques are all very old-school, it’s a labor of love,” he said.
Ever the sustainability champion, the designer put his eclectic architectural hand to a variety of techniques. He questioned the waste generated by cut flowers, experimenting in order to preserve them and integrate them into his designs, as in a ruffled silk moiré bustier dress he compared to “whipped cream,” incorporating real roses.
Pewter found in a thrift shop was melted down to create a bodice and delicate jewelry pieces with an Art Deco feel, involving extensive experimentation in the atelier. That design school was also referenced in a graphic skirt made to look like stained glass with an appliqué of crêpe de chine.
 
A lot of the looks were hand-painted by the designer himself. Others made through his Trashur initiative, which upcycles old textiles into felt, involved creating a wall with the fabric that was then sprayed with graffiti by a street artist before being cut up and made into a dress.
Denim pieces were worked with elaborate couture techniques, imitating alligator skin on one look or in a cinched jacket with giant shoulders and a wave motif.
Despite the virtual setting, van der Kemp still knows how to put on a show. He was sick with COVID-19 last week, but nevertheless managed to shoot his feature at Amsterdam’s mythical Paradiso concert hall, complete with a performance by Pat Cleveland, who sang her debut single in his video. “She shows us all how to do it with grace,” said the designer, who created a relatively classic black coat dress for the iconic model’s performance.
 
 
Ever the sustainability champion, the designer put his eclectic architectural hand to a variety of techniques. He questioned the waste generated by cut flowers, experimenting in order to preserve them and integrate them into his designs, as in a ruffled silk moiré bustier dress he compared to “whipped cream,” incorporating real roses.
Pewter found in a thrift shop was melted down to create a bodice and delicate jewelry pieces with an Art Deco feel, involving extensive experimentation in the atelier. That design school was also referenced in a graphic skirt made to look like stained glass with an appliqué of crêpe de chine.
 
A lot of the looks were hand-painted by the designer himself. Others made through his Trashur initiative, which upcycles old textiles into felt, involved creating a wall with the fabric that was then sprayed with graffiti by a street artist before being cut up and made into a dress.
Denim pieces were worked with elaborate couture techniques, imitating alligator skin on one look or in a cinched jacket with giant shoulders and a wave motif.
Despite the virtual setting, van der Kemp still knows how to put on a show. He was sick with COVID-19 last week, but nevertheless managed to shoot his feature at Amsterdam’s mythical Paradiso concert hall, complete with a video performance by Legendary Supermodel Pat Cleveland, who sang her debut single “I’m Falling in Love” by songwriter and producer Maurice Lynch. “She shows us all how to do it with grace,” said the designer, who created a relatively classic black coat dress for the iconic model’s performance.
 
https://wwd.com/runway/spring-couture-2022/paris/rvdk-ronald-van-der-kemp/review/
Tue - March 8, 2022 11:12 am     A+ | a-
Sharing another great article from Harper's Bazaar and Designer Ronald Van Der Vemp's "Can You Feel It" Tribute to Legendary Super- Model Pat Cleveland performing her New Single " I'm Falling In Love" by Maurice Lynch Music.....

Ronald van der Kemp pays tribute to Pat Cleveland - and you want to see that today
Paris Haute Couture Week at its finest.

BY EMMA VLOEIMANS
 26/01/2022
 
RVDK during Paris Haute Couture Week
"Years ago, couture was all that mattered ," Justine Picardie, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar UK, told CNN . 'But with the rise of the fast-paced ready-to-wear, the question arose whether couture was not just a way of marketing lipsticks and perfumes. The extremely expensive and exclusive clothing was hardly worn.' Nothing is less true now. This week proves that haute couture - where it all started - is alive and kicking . More than ever, even.

Ronald van der Kemp showed his new couture collection in a video - starring Pat Cleveland. Van Der Kemp's collections are always on the dividing line between ready-to-wear and haute couture - he calls it demi couture. His use of leftover fabrics, leftovers and vintage that he collects over the years.For this collection, he went the extra mile with petals dipped in resin. But that wasn't all: The large rose Cleveland carries in the first look is made from melted-down tin plates that Van Der Kemp turned up at a local thrift store. The exuberance of his collection contrasts sharply with the reality in which we live - and that is downright liberating.

Pat Cleveland:
Then the lead role for Cleveland: a striking choice. Ronald van der Kemp met the legendary Pat Cleveland last year and "felt an instant connection." The 71-year-old model stars in the collection video, which she opens and closes. Cleveland (1950) gained fame in the 1960s and 1970s as the first truly successful African-American model on the catwalk and in major campaigns. In 1966 she was discovered at a subway station, by an editor of Vogue . Not much later she was invited to the office and, among others, Carrie Donovan was heavily impressed by her clothing style and looks; an icon was born. After a publication in Vogueher career gained momentum that would last for decades. In fact, the model is still very relevant - and Ronald van der Kemp proves it once again. The Battle of Versailles was one of the highlights of her career, appearing in shows for Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior. Her daughter - Anna Cleveland - is now at least as well-known as the cover star of Harper's Bazaar, among others.

RVDK's video shows that Cleveland is still beautiful, relevant and powerful. At the end of the video she performs her new song ' I'm Falling In Love', by songwriter and producer Maurice Lynch filmed in our very own Paradiso. In a black evening dress with a tulle petticoat and underskirt, she steals the show as only she can. The song is a sneak preview of her new album. According to Van Der Kemp a 'gift for the fashion world'. And we couldn't have said it better.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/nl/mode-juwelen/a38892460/ronald-van-der-kemp-pat-cleveland/


Maurice Lynch
Producer
Wed - February 23, 2022 11:25 am     A+ | a-
Maurice Lynch Music: Vogue Article - RVDK & Pat Cleveland
Maurice Lynch Music: Vogue Article - RVDK & Pat Cleveland
Hi Fashion & Music World,

Maurice Lynch Music is so excited to have our music mentioned in VOGUE  MAGAZINE and other Top Fashion Publications for the Spring 2022 Paris Couture Shows. 

Ronald Van Der Kemp
SPRING 2022 COUTURE
BY NICOLE PHELPS
January 25, 2022

Ronald van der Kemp met Pat Cleveland last year and felt an “instant spiritual connection” with the iconic 71-year-old model. Cleveland opens and closes his spring 2022 video, which replaces the runway show that had to be scuttled due to COVID. To start Cleveland wears a full-length black coat dress with accentuated hips, and to finish she’s singing an original song, “I’m Falling in Love” by songwriter and producer Maurice Lynch on stage at Amsterdam’s famous Club Paradiso in a black evening gown with a tulle capelet and petticoat underskirt, both made from materials from previous RVDK collections. Cleveland is working on an album of new music, and Van der Kemp called this filmed preview, “a present for the fashion world.”

The Dutch designer’s collections always exist in counterpoint to those of the made-to-measure houses he shows alongside; Van der Kemp uses waste materials, vintage scraps, and bolts of fabric he’s accumulated over years. The guy doesn’t even like to toss flowers when a bouquet has passed its peak. Many of the embellishments on these clothes were achieved by dipping real petals in resin. Other details, like the rose that Cleveland clutches in Look 1, were made from melted-down pewter plates sourced at thrift stores. But a couture week that has so far been marked by a tamping down of the flourishes that often distinguish it—blame the pandemic, blame the wild swings on Wall Street—has put Van der Kemp’s exuberance in sharp relief.

Who else is showing a hand-painted gown with sculptural shoulders-out-to-there? A mono-legged asymmetrical disco bird jersey jumpsuit with hand-pleated silk organza wings? A matching jacket and jeans made from discarded denim spliced and shaped into an alligator scale motif? Or a party dress crafted from interlocking, geometric slices of eco felt? Couture’s most flamboyant customers—and we all know they’re out there—are about to get a lesson in sustainable design, and they’re going to have a hell of a lot of fun doing it.

Maurice Lynch
Producer
 
Wed - February 16, 2022 11:15 am     A+ | a-
 Black Supermodel Pat Cleveland Is Still the Star of the Catwalk at 71 (Het Parool - Amsterdam)
Black Supermodel Pat Cleveland Is Still the Star of the Catwalk at 71 (Het Parool - Amsterdam)
Black supermodel Pat Cleveland (71) is still the star of the catwalk  (Translated from German)

I wanted to share this great article with you. The article talks about Pat Cleveland's New Song " I'm Falling In Love"  from Maurice Lynch Music. The article was translated from German so somethings are backwards..... Enjoy.

ARTICLE: 
At 71, Pat Cleveland, the legendary superstar of the catwalk, is still a hot model. She will release a jazz album this year and is working with actor and producer Jamie Foxx on the film version of her life.

he just cuddled with local llama Michelle. Sweetheart, Pat Cleveland says with still childish enthusiasm over the phone from a Buddhist center in the mountains near Lake Maggiore. She's been coming here for twenty years. In her years running a modeling agency, she lived by the lake. Before that, she was the uncrowned queen of the catwalk. Renowned for her energy, she pirouetted the catwalk and brought the clothes to life while dancing. It made her deeply loved by several generations.

Paradise
She has managed to survive in an industry obsessed with youth. At 71, she is still a sought-after model. She recently shot a beauty campaign for Valentino's socials in Paris together with daughter Anna, also a model. After the interview with this newspaper, she flies home to New Jersey for a suitcase change, followed by a commercial shoot in Palm Springs. A day later, she meets in Los Angeles with producers Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner about the film script she wrote based on her life, previously described in her autobiography Walking with the muses.† Cleveland hopes to get young director Kira Kelly on board. Corinne Foxx, the 28-year-old daughter of actor and producer Jamie Foxx, is likely to play a young Pat. “The timing is right, I want young people to remember that despite the limitations of today, there is a lot of freedom. That you – whoever you are – can still pursue your dreams.”

She has never done anything different herself, this year she is releasing a jazz album. The song Falling in love was recently featured in the new collection video by couturier Ronald van der Kemp, who had flown her to Amsterdam. “I love Ronald's clothes, and so beautiful, the recordings in the magical Paradiso. It was so intense, my friend André Leon Talley had passed away the day before. I felt the presence of his spirit and heard him say: You go sing your song, girl . It felt like I was sending the number straight up to André. Goosebumps and tears.”

Cleveland was close with Talley, the first black editor to reach the highest echelons of fashion. “ We go way back, before all of his Vogue stuff . I helped him get his first job in New York, at Interview magazine . I loved André because he was bold, present, always talkative and cheerful. He has opened many doors for young people in the industry. Unfortunately, Thierry Mugler, another great personality, passed away shortly after André. I've known him for so long. The first time at his studio he received me in a Star Trek-overall, as if he were the captain of a spaceship. In 1984, during a show in a Paris club, he let me fall down on a rope like the Madonna, pregnant with my daughter.”

Never a dull moment
Falling in love is one of ten songs written for her by songwriter and producer Maurice Lynch Music. Recordings for the album will start in New York in March. In the 1970s Cleveland sang in various clubs in New York, in 1975 she was on Broadway in the musical Let my people come . “Only a handful of fashion friends knew about it, because at the time musicals weren't cool in fashion. And guess what: André came one evening, he had brought a load of model onions, they took a pontifical place in the front row. Typical Andre.”

She grew up in Harlem as the daughter of African American (including a dash of Native blood) artist Lady Bird Cleveland and Swedish saxophonist Johnny Johnston. Pa left the nest early, in her youth there was little money, but never a dull moment in the Lady Bird house. 'Aunt' Katherine Dunham often practiced with fellow dancers in the living room, Eartha Kitt and Billie Holliday were always at home. Just like contra-alto Marian Anderson. “She never sang at home, she said, but she wanted to sing Twinkle twinkle little star with me. Sometimes we sat in the front row at Eartha Kitt shows. I remember that one time at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, Eartha surrounded by drag queens whose hairy legs I especially remember. Eartha crawled on the floor, lay right in front of us and sangSanta baby. †

At 15, Cleveland was discovered on the subway and became one of the first successful black models, paving the way for Iman and Naomi Campbell. Women of color were banned from couture shows in the mid-1960s, but Eunice Johnson, founder of the first African-American magazine, Ebony, hired Cleveland for a show tour with a bus full of colored models and Johnson-bought couture. “Picture it: a black woman together with royalty on a couture show. Inappropriate at the time, but Mrs Johnson was the only editor who bought entire collections. She was wealthy. The young Yves Saint Laurent and Hubert de Givenchy were very grateful for her support.”

he bus often caused a stir, especially in the segregated south. Cleveland once had to run for her life when the Ku Klux Klan stood in the yard of her hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas. Complete with flaming torches. “I have experienced racism from an early age. My mother had grown up in Georgia, on vacations I spent a lot of time there with my cousins ​​who were darker than me. In some neighborhoods people threw rocks at us. I couldn't tolerate it, picked them up and threw them back.”

Rare pearl
Europe was more open to diversity and a wider color palette, so Cleveland left for Milan and Paris in 1970. She lived with the Puerto Rican illustrator Antonio Lopez in Karl Lagerfeld's guest apartment on Rue Bonaparte. “Everyone wanted to sleep with him. He was extremely sensitive, could dance amazingly and was so handsome.” She also continued to party on Fire Island with designers Roy Halston, Calvin Klein and Andy Warhol. “Designer Stephen Burrows, illustrator Richard Bernstein and I invariably arrived by seaplane.”

She had affairs with several famous men – 'nothing special, those were the only ones available at parties, there was no dating app'. Boxer Muhammad Ali wanted to marry her, but then she had to stop wearing miniskirts. Mick Jagger was 'all fun' and Jack Nicholson was 'everything you can imagine and more'. She eventually married the Dutch photographer Paul van Ravenstein. "He's a rare gem, we've been married 38 years and just as happy."

During the Paris fashion week in April 2019, things went wrong, shortly after running a show, she was rushed to the hospital and colon cancer was discovered. Karl Lagerfeld had died a month earlier in that same American Hospital. “I didn't know that, but suddenly he stood at my bedside and told me that everything would be fine. And so it happened.”

Because her insurance wasn't valid outside the United States, her fashion friends started a crowdfunding campaign to pay the bills. It yielded one and a half tons. “I got so much love, they were all there for me. The hospital refused to admit me at first, but then some phone calls were made here and there and I got the couture treatment. I ended up having the same surgeon as Jean Paul Gaultier.”

Discrimination in the fashion world is certainly not a thing of the past, concludes Cleveland. Take the ethnic profiling of Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, who was told to use the back door by a doorman at his own publisher in London in August 2020.

The same Enninful is now receiving praise on social media for his latest cover, on which the skin of models is said to have been photoshopped blacker. "Nonsense, just an artful cover, beautiful and mysterious," says the ever-positive Cleveland. “A creative expression of beauty, let's appreciate that. Edward just has to follow his gut feeling, eventually there will be room for all skin colors and everyone. Let's ignore negative people, they don't belong on the painting .”
Mobirise

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