Reference objects, that is, imitation objects or role models, are an important driving force in people's growth and a symbol of their industry. "Fashion" represents the popular aesthetics of a specific era, and time washes away the temporary glitz, precipitates the professional figures with a sense of faith, and inspires the next generation of fashion lovers. How to define a legend in the context of fashion?

These people don't just chase flashy moments -- from design Muse Pat Cleveland to multi-identity avantgarde supermodel Kimora Lee Simmons to the personal style of Helena Christensen, they are constantly exploring new knowledge, seeking independence and taking on challenges. Reflect from the difficulties, improve, and always full of passion, witness the change of fashion history.

From her days as a fashion house model in the '60s to the glamorous disco scene in New York in the' 70s, Pat Cleveland was the Muse of designer Halston and artist Dali and worked with celebrities in fashion, art, music, show business and culture -- she was a legendary model and a truly glamorous woman. Her "retirement" life is still full of energy.

Pat was born in 1950 into an artistic family, the son of a saxophonist father and an extremely elegant artist known as "Lady Cleveland Bird."

A mix of African, Native American, Irish, Scottish and Swedish ancestry has shaped Pat's timeless face and warm, flamboyant and elegant personality. Raised in the art of Harlem, she wanted to be a designer, but at the age of 16, her unique taste in styling attracted the attention of VOGUE editors, and she was then selected by the Ebony fashion fair to travel the United States as a model.

Since then, Pat Cleveland's legendary life as one of the first black models in the United States has begun. Those lucky enough to have seen her on the runway have never forgotten her energetic "dance steps" - fashion shows in those days were literally "performances", and Pat was not only a model, but also a dancer dressed in splendid clothes and swaying.

In that first life-changing tour, the young and famous Pat not only fully unleashed her modeling talent, but also found another career in her life - fighting for the rightful place of black models. Her experience in the American South made her aware of the serious racism in the United States. She moved to Paris, vowing not to return until a black model appeared on the cover of American VOGUE.

In 1973, when "The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show", a huge French versus American designer show, was staged in Paris, more than a quarter of the models were black, and Pat was one of them to witness this history. The following year, black model Beverly Johnson appeared on the cover of American VOGUE, and Pat finally returned home.

Modeling, dancing, music, painting, writing... Now 73, Pat is still working on one new project after another. Just as he was influenced by his mother, Pat passed on his life values to his daughter Anna, who is also a model. Whenever he appeared in public, Pat stood out from the inside and out with his trademark warm smile. Pat Cleveland never retired, and once a legend is written, it follows history all the way.

What are some of your strongest memories from early in your career? What would make you smile right now?

Some of the most vivid episodes I recall occurred on ornate and extravagant large tankers crossing the ocean. I was dressed in my most beautiful clothes and accompanied by beautiful boys to shoot exotic blockbusters.

We've been to so many amazing places, riding safari through moors, climbing Buddhist temples and standing atop New York City skyscrapers...... More importantly, we were living a Bohemian life as artists. What impresses me most about people are the designers and photographers whose personalities, intelligence and looks have always been in my mind, as if they are still with me.

What was the turning point in your career? When did you start to feel like you were gaining momentum and things were starting to fall into place?

Chosen by Eunice W. Johnson, one of the best female entrepreneurs I know, to participate in the Ebony fashion Fair in New York. I got on a Greyhound bus with ten other girls and went all over America for three months. We walked everywhere wearing all the couture that was sent from Paris.

I was 14 or 15 at the time, and that played a huge role in my understanding of how to work, learning how to present clothes to an audience in a live setting with a jazz band and beautiful lighting. That early experience helped me lay the foundation for my own business.

How do you define "legend" in your field?

When you work with the most talented artists who will become legends, you become a legend because you are part of their world and it is all part of history.

So the events, the activities, the creative moments that have taken place cannot be replicated. The photos are legendary and witness something that has never happened before, in any place or time.

Who are the legends of your childhood or early career?

Like all children, I believed in fairy tales, in good spirits and fairy godmothers. My mother was an artist, of course, and I got all the stories about legends from her, and from my godmother.

We love Josephine Baker, the French artist of African descent, and we love artists. I grew up surrounded by famous artists and jazz musicians who would become legends in jazz, theater, and painting.

Then I moved into the world of fashion, where I admired the French fashion writer, editor and curator Diana Vreeland, Stephen Burrows, Halston, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Sant 'Angelo, Oscardela Renta, Thierry Mugler, and so on. I'm blown away by these wonderful creative people. Early in my career, I felt like a kid all the time because I looked up to these creative people.

Why?

They are very kind, have elegant lifestyles and are very tolerant.

How do they continue to influence you?

These people are part of my story. They appear in my path and guide me. In a way, they taught me to love, and we exchange what we have. They are always in my heart, we learn from each other, they also tell me how to learn.