Pat isn't a designer per se, but she has done an awful lot for downtown (and now all over town) fashion.
In her original boutique on 8th st, she gave new and up and coming designers rack space and therefore, exposure. Anna Sui, for instance started by hanging a few of her dresses in Pat's store.
Pat's store was the in place to be and to be seen, whether you shopped or not. She may not have designed the clothes, but she had the eye and the street smarts to know what was going to be big.
In a way, you could say she "designed" the wardrobe for all the tv shows and films she's worked on in that she put it all together. And she's influenced millions.
No, I am not a shill. Just someone who has known Pat for a long time. Her shop was the first place I hung out at when I moved to NY.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES