The invitation of a lifetime made its way into my email inbox. "On behalf of Black Fashion Fair, we would love to invite you to Black Fashion Fair x Brooklyn Talks: Mugler's Muses with Pat Cleveland this Thursday, February 23rd, from 7-9 pm." The invitation also came with after-hours admission to Thierry Mugler: Couturissime. The exhibition is the Brooklyn Museum's retrospective exploration of the influential French designer's fascinating, edgy universe. There was no way I was going to refuse this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Photo Courtesy of Alisiana Chanise Marshall

On Thursday night, each seat in the auditorium was full of fashion lovers of varying ages and races to hear and see the legendary Pat Cleveland. One of the first Black supermodels with a career spanning over five decades, Cleveland has seen it all and has been friends with the likes of Halston, Stephen Burrows, Yves Saint Laurent, and the man of the hour, Thierry Mugler.

Mugler's story is kept alive by dear friends, clients, colleagues, and fashion scholars who continue to miss and be inspired by the groundbreaking designer and perfumer. As one of Mugler's muses, Cleveland regaled the packed auditorium with her backlog of stories including the backstage atmosphere at the French designer's shows, how designers of the time gained inspiration from one another while partying through the weekend together, and posing on the ledge of the Chrysler building.

Cleveland spoke about one of her most famous modeling moments: descending from the ceiling as The Madonna for Mugler's 1984 runway show.

"And when the music comes on, it changes the atmosphere. And it was so strong and operatic and angel-like. A symphony was playing, and all the angels would gather around below my feet, reaching up into the sky — they were actually just models with wings — but my fantasy was, 'oh my God, I was really gonna be The Madonna.' I had my little son in there (Cleveland was pregnant at the time), riding down the cable with me, landing delicately on the floor. And there was the hot ice making clouds across the stage, and I was walking through the clouds, and it was silent, and I really thought I had gone to heaven, but you know he's such a scene maker that Thierry Mugler he can make you believe that you were in another world. And that's how I felt like I was in another world.

How the iconic pair became friends becomes apparent once you hear about Cleveland's love for performance and all things fashionable, as well as her grandiose flare for storytelling.

After a rousing hour-long chat with Pat Cleveland, guests packed into the elevators for a trip to the fifth floor to see the Mugler exhibit. The exhibit takes you through the French fashion visionary's career act by act in true theatrical fashion. Mugler's love for theater and opulence is evident through his otherworldly designs. Showcasing over 108 outfits — the majority of which are on view for the first time since their runway debuts — alongside custom accessories, perfume bottles, images, videos, stage costumes, and sketches, walking into this exhibit transports you into another world.

It's easy to get lost amongst surrealist gowns, celestial corsets, and extravagant headpieces. The wonder and intrigue associated with the name Thierry Mugler were palpable in the room as guests became stuck in place, entranced by one piece or another. Within all of the black threads, rhinestones, mesh paneling, and feathers remain the story of a man, a trailblazer, lover, and friend who breathed new life into the art form of fashion.

After Hours at the Mugler Exhibit with Pat Cleveland

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