A night out in ’70s New York was never complete without Pat Cleveland at the scene—making a stop at Studio 54, her favorite haunt, a must. The club’s brief, incandescent reign was marked by extravagance and liberation, serving as a late-night sanctuary for the era’s most dazzling stars. More than four decades after its closing, Cleveland returned to the iconic space for one unforgettable evening, this time in celebration of Valentino Beauty’s Born in Roma Rendez-Vous ivory collection.

Featuring limited-edition fragrances and lip colors, the collection channels glamour, sensuality, and self-expression—the same spirit that once defined Studio 54. Against this backdrop, Pat steps back into the spotlight, reflecting on beauty, freedom, and timeless allure as she gets ready for the night.

V Magazine: You were the life of the party at Studio 54 in the ’70s! What memories were brought up by returning to the iconic venue?

Pat Cleveland: Most of the memories are about entering the club and when Steve Rubell was standing at the door. Welcoming us in personally, it felt really good, as though you were going to someone’s personal party. That has remained pretty much the same, except now more people know about it. And so it’s a little more difficult to get in on a very special night.

V: What’s your secret to confidence?

PC: Well, it wouldn’t be a secret now if I told you, but I can say inner passion fills you up with light. And we all love to fly towards the light, don’t we? Because light is healing. We’re all just like flowers, so be that sunflower soul.

V: Studio 54 and Valentino Beauty are all about extravagance. Freedom, self-expression, and individuality. What items in Valentino Beauty’s new collection made you feel the most lavish, free, and “you” on the dance floor?

PC: Everything is about the romance, the rendezvous with glamour. Can never get enough of that, because that is just a wonderful feeling, to feel beautiful, and if you’re wearing a lovely scent, it just livens up your senses, as you’re dancing and the room gets a little bit steamy. As they say in disco: burn, baby burn!

V: What’s your recipe for a perfect night out?

PC: My recipe for a perfect night out is to be in the heart and embrace of my friends as we go out to enjoy the music and feel like free spirits, dancing into the rhythm of the night.

V: Celebrity spotting was certainly a regular occurrence at Studio 54. What were some of your most memorable sightings, and who did you love to party with most?

PC: Mostly, I loved dancing with the drag queens, because they were colorful. [But] I remember I sang ‘Happy Birthday ‘to Steve Rubell as the opening act for Stevie Wonder and The Police. That was something I’ll never forget. All the stars were upstairs and all around. Everywhere you went, there was someone else. But really, we were just beginning to shine there at Studio 54.