Wedding dress Anna Cleveland Laura Biagiotti: an interview with Lavinia

How did your mom Laura and Pat meet?

“Their meeting began in the early 80s. They were united by the idea to bring to the podium a manner of behaving politely and always joyfully. I remember Pat on the catwalk, I was a little girl, and for me it was always a moment of great emotion. She also shared with her mother the idea that the dress was not for a crutch, but for a real woman. The creation, signed by Laura Biagiotti, was based on the philosophy of dynamic dress, according to which the dress is a behavioral expression of our way of being, to better express ourselves, or, conversely, our way of not hiding or hiding. defend or disguise,” but in any case, it is something alive that requires interpretation.”

How did they go from professional relationship to friendship?

“Almost immediately, Pat became his muse, she has been her for many years: so many times she modeled for Laura Biagiotti. They shared many moments. I remember one of them all. It was 1995 and we flew to Moscow to show our collection. It was the first event for the Italian fashion house, so it was an extraordinary event. At that time, I had the honor to closely observe their friendship. Pat taught very young Russian models how to walk the runway and was part of the event from start to finish. She played in a Mongolian-style wedding dress with faux fur and gave a real performance in the Kremlin Theater, to the gasp of 8,000 spectators. Together they did things with great seriousness, achieved important goals, but always knew how to treat everything with great ease. I remember those days of wonderful conversations and laughter. But I also remember them silently, focused on what is happening on the podium.”