She was also a fashion model and a favourite model of Athol Shmith, who became her first husband. While they were married, Patricia often modeled for him, under the name Bambi Smith. In 1951, she was one of the founders of the Mannequins' Association of Victoria. She ran the Bambi Smith Modelling College in Melbourne. Her alumnae include such notables as Roma Egan. After the opening of Melbourne's first television station, HSV-7, on 4 November 1956, she appeared on a number of early programs, including "Beauty is My Business", in which her co-host was Mary Parker.