Models Pat and Anna Cleveland Toast to Love with Moët & Chandon
In Epernay, L'OFFICIEL talks about champagne, the 1920s, fashion, and love with the incredible Pat Cleveland and her amazing daughter Anna, who perfectly embody the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 1921, born the same year as L’OFFICIEL.
A bottle of Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 1921 has something exceptional, rare, and qualitative—just like model mother-daughter duo Pat and Anna Cleveland, who we met at Moët & Chandon's estate in Epernay, as we celebrated the centennial anniversary of L'OFFICIEL. The women have an unquestionable connection, most certainly because of their shared passion for fashion, dancing, and love. As effervescent as the champagne they sip, they even dream of bathing in bubbly. Talking to them is like a show, an equally unforgettable and surreal moment.
L’OFFICIEL: So this is the first time you’re seeing each other in person in a year—how do you feel?
Pat Cleveland: We are quite bubbly about that! I think it’s because of the integrity my daughter has, with doing her job in fashion. At the beginning of COVID, we did our first show ever that had no audience, and then after we went back to America and stayed together, but fashion called her away. So yes, it's been a year and a half that we haven’t seen each other.
Anna Cleveland: We always say we like to live in our bubble, and it’s quite funny as my first word as a child was “bubble,” and now we have plenty of bubbles around us to enjoy.
L’O: What are you toasting to with your coupe of champagne?
AC: We are toasting to love.
PC: Yes, because our highest intention is to be in love, so we are just toasting to being alive and being fortunate enough to be in the world of fashion and to see each other.
L’O: You both did covers for L’OFFICIEL. When was that?
PC: Oh la la! I would say 1971—I was 21, an art student in Paris, photographed in Pierre Cardin’s studio. When he walked into the studio on that day, I set my eyes on him for the first time; my eyes just stopped and then he walked up behind me and we struck a pose for a photograph. After that he started using me for his art shows, with the space theme and little boots. It was amazing to meet the other models that were so known in Paris, and I had 13 or 14 pages! I was just so happy that someone took notice and I got to wear those beautiful clothes.
AC: When I first came to Paris, Jennifer Eymère spotted me thanks to my derrière! I remember she recognized me by my behind. She said, “Come on, jump in the car!” So I jumped into the car, eating french fries, and then I did the cover for her. It was really special.
L’O: Did we bring you luck?
PC: Of course. Today, I sing and perform. I have a new album coming out with my songs. Anna is a performer too, she played Josephine Baker at the Folies Bergères, it was amazing to see her dance. She is really talented, as she's also a great actress. I’m really proud of her.
L’O: Now you’re holding the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage collection 1921. What does that mean to you ?
PC: I guess people who drink a lot of good champagne also choose the year differently, because you know it will remind them of something that happened. It is a signature of a time and a place. I think L’OFFICIEL always had that signature of the ‘20s: risky, crazy, and wild. I always remember France for the great vineyards, and the smell during the summer is intoxicating. This is where the perfume comes from and this is the intoxication sensation of France. It’s amazing all of those people stomped on grapes. I hope they are having a party while they're doing it! I don’t know if they still do it like that, but it’s a romantic idea if you think of people stepping on the grapes with a beautiful low cut blouse looking all sexy. But I don't know, I haven’t been to any festival about grape stomping. We should go stomp on grapes. I would like to do that during summer.
L’O: Do you have New Year's resolutions?
PC and AC: We just take the new year as a new adventure. So, happy new adventure!
