Sunday, November 27, 2016

Crochet Your Way to the Sun

a closeup of Shelley from a spread for McCall's NeedleWork & Crafts, 1975

Shelley appeared on the cover as well as the pages of McCall's NeedleWork & Crafts, spring-summer 1975 issue. In the spread called "Crochet Your Way to the Sun", she modeled a bikini top over a pair of super short shorts. The soft plaid design was made up of horizontal bands of double crochet/single crochet pattern with verticals chain-stitched in later. The top tied at the back and the shorts had an elasticized waist. A matching scarf around her hair was all that was needed to finish her look. And she looked like she was ready for those warm sunny days.

Shelley in a spread for McCall's NeedleWork & Crafts, 1975

New Angel ' 79

a paparazzi pic of Shelley from 1979

Shelley became a Charlies Angel in 1979 and was immediately hounded by the press. Becoming an Angel was always big news during the 1970s when the phenomenal TV series ruled television. When asked if she was nervous about joining the show, she was annoyed by the question. She explained, "That wasn't arrogance. It just struck me as a silly question. When I was setting off for Australia, someone said, 'But you don't know anyone there.' And I thought to myself, 'What a dumb reason not to go.'" Shelley was used to challenges and was ready to face them head on.

Supermodel Spread 7

Shelley, from a 15-page ad/spread for Krizia, 1976

Shelley was one of the highest paid Supermodels by the mid 1970s; and in 1976, she landed a 15-page ad/spread for the Italian designer label, Krizia, which appeared on the pages Italian Vogue. The spread featured fabrics and yarns by Bini, Cantons, Grawitz, Overdrive, Quatrefoil, Rainbowand Solbiati. Makeup was by Deborah, handbags by Bottega Veneta, footwear by Andrea Pfister and Mario Valentino, and accessories by Krizia. It was photographed by Steen Svensson, Shelley's boyfriend at the time.

a closeup of Shelley from a 15-page ad/spread for Krizia, 1976

On the Phone

a publicity pic with Shelley in the phone

Shelley posed for many publicity pics in the mid-70s, sometimes she was photographed with a phone in hand. Shelley had become a Supermodel by the mid-1970s and was recognized when she went out in public. She learned how to deal with that, and took it as part of the job. But she was admittedly surprised by the amount of attention she got when she became a Charlie's Angel in 1979. "I was totally unprepared for the press 'bonanza' which followed," she said on Jane Pauley's show Time and Again in 2000.

Ponchos and Afghans

Shelley in a A Poncho Big Sister Can Borrow
for Modern Needle/Craft mag, 1971
for more details go to

Shelley appeared in several spreads throughout Modern Needle/Craft magazine back in 1971. In one spread, she modeled a "campus size, diamond ripple afghan" that was great for cozying up in. In another, she modeled "A Poncho Big Sister Can Borrow". In both, she looked fab.

Shelley in a Campus Size Afghan
for Modern Needle/Craft mag, 1971
for more details go to

An Astute Woman

a 1986 Spanish-language writeup called "An Astute Woman"
about Shelley and her new TV series Jack and Mike

There has always been interest in the post-Charlie's Angels projects of the actresses who were part of the phenomenal TV series, especially in the 1980s. Shelley went on to tackle stage and the big screen. But in 1983, she became a regular in the short-lived TV series Cutter to Houston. And in 1986, she signed on to play Jackie Shea on the TV series Jack and Mike. She told Entertainment Tonight in 1986, "I read this; and I liked it so much for all the reasons that I've told you that I went-- I signed on the dotted line for five years which is a big chunk of your life. And you don't sign on the dotted line for five years unless its something you really want to do or you're very foolish." Shelley always said she loved working on the series Jack and Mike and it was because she thought it had a great premise that was so relevant at the time.

Body Suits

Shelley with Colleen Corby and Lucy Angle
in a spread for Sears Fall and Winter 1972 catalog

Shelley appeared on many spreads throughout Sears Fall and Winter 1972 catalog. In them, She modeled many of the fashions available at the department store including day wear, nightwear, coats and even uniforms. In the spread called the "Body Suit Shop", she modeled body suits that could be worn over pants, skirts or on their own.

closeups of Shelley wearing the Two-Tone body suit

She modeled the Two-Tone body suit which was a "quick way to achieve today's fashion color explosion". It was a rib-knit stretch body suit with raglan long sleeves in a different color. It could be worn on its own or over a pair of casual trousers. Shelley looked fab either way. 

closeups of Shelley wearing the Long-Sleeves with Turtleneck body suit

She also modeled the Long-Sleeves with Turtleneck body suit. It was a rib-knit stretch body suit with long sleeves and a long back zipper. It had crotch snaps and elasticized leg openings. Shelley looked equally fab in this body suit.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Dare To Be You... A Free Spirit C

a closeup of Shelley from a Simplicity Fashion News, Dec 1971 spread

Shelley appeared on the pages of the December 1971 issue of Simplicity Fashion News. The "Dare To Be You... A Free Spirit!" spread dared readers to be creative in putting together their own fashion statements via the use of put-ons or prints, trims and braids, as well as fun fabrics. For the spread, she modeled several looks. In the portion of the spread called "Dare To Strike a Pose", she modeled a skirt and blouse ensemble. Simplicity pattern 9616 was a quilted border-print long skirt topped by a skinny lace-trimmed blouse. A matching belt, a pair of low-heeled sandals and a choker finished her look. And Shelley looked ready for a the December '71 festivities.

Shelley in a spread for Simplicity Fashion News, Dec 1971

Saturday, November 19, 2016

The First Lady of Theatre Honored

Shelley at The Love Boat Honors Helen Hayes event, 1980

Shelley attended The Love Boat Honors Helen Hayes event in Feb of 1980 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Other attendees were her fellow Charlie's Angels Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd, the entire cast of The Love Boat, Jane Wyman, Phil Silvers, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Hope Lange, John Gavin, Britt Ekland, Bobby Sherman, Phyllis Diller, Melissa Gilbert, Joyce DeWitt, Robert Hays, Loni Anderson, Mark Harmon, Lisa Hartman, Michele Lee and many more. Of course, Aaron Spelling was there too, as well as "First Lady of Theatre" herself, the evening's honoree Helen Hayes.

Supermodel Spread 6

Shelley, from a 15-page ad/spread for Krizia, 1976

Shelley was one of the highest paid Supermodels by the mid 1970s; and in 1976, she landed a 15-page ad/spread for the Italian designer label, Krizia, which appeared on the pages Italian Vogue. The spread featured fabrics and yarns by Bini, Cantons, Grawitz, Overdrive, Quatrefoil, Rainbowand Solbiati. Makeup was by Deborah, handbags by Bottega Veneta, footwear by Andrea Pfister and Mario Valentino, and accessories by Krizia. It was photographed by Steen Svensson, Shelley's boyfriend at the time.

a closeup of Shelley from a 15-page ad/spread for Krizia, 1976

Angels at War?

Was there really any hair-pulling going on?

So much was written about the actresses who became the Angels in the phenomenal hit TV series Charlie's Angels. Everything from their love affairs to their hair were written about. There were also writeups of feuding among the girls on the Angels set; but all the Angels have denied that. I guess (as in any other situation) there were good days and there were bad days on the set.

a write up about the Angels from 1979

1967 Ad

a closeup of Shelley from a 1967 ad for Kotex

Shelley appeared in many ads during her tenure as a Supermodel, one of her earliest was for Kotex which came out in 1967. In the ad, Shelley was photographed beside a lake in a '60s style white evening gown and with her hair up beehive-style, a 1960sf hair fashion must. With a flower in hand, Shelley was a vision of lovliness.

Shelley in a 1967 ad for Kotex

Ready to Move On

a publicity still of Shelley from 1980

Shelley opted and was opted out of Charlie's Angels in 1980. She felt she that was ready to move on and that her one-year tenure as an Angel was already plenty for her. "I'm a simple person and I lead a simple life," she said, "But suddenly I was public property. Some of the gossip really hurt. But aside from all that, Charlie's Angels was really fun." In a couple of years, Shelley moved on to do impressive work on stage (with Vanities and Born Yesterday) and on screen (with The King of Comedy). She had proven she had the acting chops to be in the business.

Sweaters and Twill

Shelley in a spread for Sears Fall and Winter 1974 catalog

Shelley appeared on many spreads throughout the Sears Fall and Winter 1974 catalog. In the spread called "Sweater-Sets Team Up with Smart Twill Pants", she modeled just that. She wore a sweater-set made up of a sleeveless pullover and a cardigan - both with a checkerboard pattern front bodice- over a pair of tweedy-looking pants with slightly flared legs. Shelley looked lovely in her sweater-set/twill pants ensemble.

closeups of Shelley from the spread

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Dare To Be You... A Free Spirit B

a closeup of Shelley from a Simpicity Fashion News spread, Dec 1971

Shelley appeared on the pages of the December 1971 issue of Simplicity Fashion News. The "Dare To Be You... A Free Spirit!" spread dared readers to be creative in putting together their own fashion statements via the use of put-ons or prints, trims and braids, as well as fun fabrics. For the spread, she modeled several looks. In the portion of the spread called "Dare To Sew With Fun Fabrics", she modeled a fun skirt. Simplicity pattern 9628 was "a front-zipped skirt loaded with fabulous peasant trim". It was perfect for a variety of fabrics because the pattern had no waistband. A matching turtleneck top, hose, ribboned footwear and a fancy necklace finished her look. Shelley looked like a young free spirited 190s teen.

Shelley with Susan Dey in a spread for Simplicity Fashion News, Dec 1971

Talking about Jack and Mike

screen captures of Shelley from Entertainment Tonight, 1986

Shelley's third foray into series television was Jack and Mike in 1986. The show explored the life of Jackie Shea and Mike Brennan, a married couple with busy careers trying to make their marriage work. The yuppie phenomenon exploded in the 1980s as more and more women began entering the workforce and climbing up the corporate ladder on their own, holding positions previously reserved for men only in past generations. Before the show premiered, Shelley was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight to talk about her new TV series. "I saw in the script a modern woman who really loves her job and really loves her husband and is trying to balance the two," Shelley told ET. She added, "It's not easy balancing a job you love and a husband you love very much."

screen captures of Shelley (some with Jack and Mike co-star Tom Mason)
from Entertainment Tonight, 1986

"I don't have to do a series," Shelley confessed to ET, "You know, I'm fine doing television movies; and I started to produce my own, which is what I eventually want to do" (which she's doing now, by the way). But then she read the script for Jack and Mike and liked it so much, she signed on the dotted line. Shelley always admitted she loved working on Jack and Mike, but the series, unfortunately, had a short run (sleeper hits were unheard of then). Let's hope it makes it on DVD soon. For more on Shelley's ET interview, go to:

Entertainment Tonight- August 21, 1986
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4pzzkc_entertainment-tonight-august-21-1986_tv
(highlight the link, right click
and choose "Open Link in New Tab" option)

Supermodel Spread 5

a closeup of Shelley from a 15-page ad/spread for Krizia, 1976

Shelley was one of the highest paid Supermodels by the mid 1970s; and in 1976, she landed a 15-page ad/spread for the Italian designer label, Krizia, which appeared on the pages Italian Vogue. The spread featured fabrics and yarns by Bini, Cantons, Grawitz, Overdrive, Quatrefoil, Rainbowand Solbiati. Makeup was by Deborah, handbags by Bottega Veneta, footwear by Andrea Pfister and Mario Valentino, and accessories by Krizia. It was photographed by Steen Svensson, Shelley's boyfriend at the time.

Shelley, from a 15-page ad/spread for Krizia, 1976

Rising From the Ashes

a writeup about Shelley's post-Angels triumphs, 1982

Shelley was unfairly blamed for the ratings drop experienced by Charlie's Angels during the season she was in it. Everything about her was cited - from her acting to her rapport with the other Angels to her hair - as the reason for the decline in the ratings. It's funny because she wasn't given much to do or say and her best scenes with the other girls were left on the cutting room floor (see: http://shelleyhack.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-fan-defends-shelley.html). So how could she have been the reason? It sounds more like she's the scapegoat. Anyway, she later proved she could act with her performances in the stage plays Vanities and Born Yesterday as well as the in the Martin Scorsese film The King of Comedy (which wrapped up filming in 1982).

Does She... Or Doesn't She?

Shelley in an ad for Miss Clairol, 1973

Shelley appeared in many ads during her tenure as a Supermodel. One of them was for Miss Clairol, whose tagline was "Does She... Or Doesn't She?" back in 1973. Shelley was one of the busiest models in the 1970s and was a familiar face on both magazines and television. She did commercials for Remington, Alberto-Culver, Avon Jewelry, JCPenney, Pond and many more. She later signed an exclusive contract with Revlon as their Charlie perfume Girl and the rest is history.

a closeup of Shelley from a Miss Clairol ad, 1973

Angels in Spandex

Shelley with Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd on the cover of Family Scene in 1980

Shelley became a Charlie's Angel in 1979, taking over Kate Jackson's empty slot in the team; and publicity stills of her with Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd were circulated around the world. One pictorial had the new Angel team in skin-tight spandex pants - the latest fashion craze. They were so tight, it was scandalous. Some magazines sanitized the pics by airbrushing some parts; but hey, no one was complaining. Now, the pic is a classic, and one of the sexiest photos from the era.

Coatdress

Shelley in a spread for Sears Fall/Winter/1975 catalog

Shelley appeared on many spreads throughout Sears Fall/Winter/1975 catalog. In the "Young and Lively" section, she modeled a dusty rose coatdress of crepe-textured double-knit polyester. It has gold-colored buttons and a belt that has a gold-colored lion's head buckle. A moss green version was also available. Shelley looked casual chic and ready for a day in town.

closeups of Shelley from the spread

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Dare To Be You... A Free Spirit 1

Shelley in a spread for Simplicity Fashion News, Dec 1971

Shelley appeared on the pages of the December 1971 issue of Simplicity Fashion News. The "Dare To Be You... A Free Spirit!" spread dared readers to be creative in putting together their own fashion statements via the use of put-ons or prints, trims and braids, as well as fun fabrics. For the spread, she modeled several looks. In the portion of the spread called "Dare To Tame a Zany Zoo", she wore Simplicity pattern 9304, a striped flannel shirt, over Simplicity pattern 9573, a pair of "brief shorts" (which could also be cut as "kicky knickers") with suspenders hooked up to a bib that can be appliqued or embroidered with any animal print of choice. The same could be done with the shorts' pocket. Matching hose, high cut footwear and braided hair finished her young look. Shelley looked like she was ready to have some good clean fun.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread

Lounging Around

publicity photos of Shelley from 1978

Shelley became a Supermodel in the mid-'70s and was ready to hit Hollywood. She studied acting at Herbert Berghof Studios under Jack Wolzer in New York and had a bit (but memorable) part in the Academy Award winning film Annie Hall which was directed by Woody Allen. Publicity photos of her lounging around were taken as promotional material. She was later cast in Charlie's Angels and the rest is history.

Supermodel Spread 4

Shelley, from a 15-page ad/spread for Krizia, 1976

Shelley was one of the highest paid Supermodels by the mid 1970s; and in 1976, she landed a 15-page ad/spread for the Italian designer label, Krizia, which appeared on the pages Italian Vogue. The spread featured fabrics and yarns by Bini, Cantons, Grawitz, Overdrive, Quatrefoil, Rainbowand Solbiati. Makeup was by Deborah, handbags by Bottega Veneta, footwear by Andrea Pfister and Mario Valentino, and accessories by Krizia. It was photographed by Steen Svensson, Shelley's boyfriend at the time.

a closeup of Shelley from a 15-page ad/spread for Krizia, 1976

Going Crazy?

a paparazzi photo of Shelley from 1979

Shelley became a superstar when she joined the cast of Charlie's Angels in June of 1979 and was immediately thrown into the spotlight. Rumors about her began to spread and the gossip columns and the paparazzi covered her every move. One writeup claimed that Teri Garr (Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Oh God!) said some actresses would kill to be on Charlie's Angels and on the cover of The National Enquirer and nobody really cared about those actresses because they didn't cure polio or cancer. "That kind of thing makes people crazy", the mag quoted Teri. It went on to ask if Shelley, Charlie's newest Angel at the time, would go crazy over Teri's statement.

a writeup about the current stars of 1979, Rona Barrett's Preview - Nov 1979

Country-Girl Looks

Shelley with Shelley Smith in a spread for McCall's NeedleWork & Crafts, 1975

Shelley appeared on the cover as well as the pages of McCall's NeedleWork & Crafts, spring-summer 1975 issue. In the spread called "Country-Girl Looks to Wear Everywhere", she modeled a poncho and a cape that were perfect for those cooler days in spring and summer.

Shelley in the Long, Long Fringe and Checkerboard Pattern designs

She modeled the Long, Long Fringe - a poncho with large knit and crochet squares on the sides and cable and popcorn panels on the front, back and hem which ended in long fringes. She wore it over a shirt by Lady Manhattan and pants by Time And Place. She also modeled the Checkerboard Pattern, a snug knit cape with checkerboard sides and Mandarin collar and edgings. It featured crocheted frog closures. She wore this one over McCalls shirt pattern 3550 and Time And Place pants, as well as a scarf by Vera and earrings by Kenneth Lane. In both pieces, Shelley looked sensational.

The Best New Drama

Shelley in a newspaer ad for Jack and Mike, 1986

Shelley starred in "The Best New Drama on CJOH" Jack and Mike in 1986. She played newspaper columnist Jackie Shea who was married to restaurateur Mike Brennan (played by Tom Mason). The series received mixed reviews but was gaining a following before it was cancelled. Let's pray it makes it to DVD so everyone can enjoy the series.

Boy-Cut Jeans

Shelley in a spread for Sears Fall and Winter 1972 catalog

Shelley appeared on many spreads throughout Sears Fall and Winter 1972 catalog. In the "Junior Bazaar Jeans Shop" section, she modeled Boy-Cut Jeans, jeans that rode 2-inches below the natural waistline. She wore the burgundy red Western-style jeans in cotton denim complete with belt loops, zipper fly-front, riveted front scoop pockets, back patch pockets and slightly flared legs. Over it, she wore a white rib-knit pull-on style turtleneck and a plaid shirt-jacket in burgundy red and navy brushed denim. A brick red belt of top-grain cowhide and a matching pair of platform footwear finished her look. Shelley looked ready for a day in town.

a closeup of Shelley from the spread