Shelley began modeling in her teens and was represented by Eileen Ford, an acquaintance of her mother Pat (who was a former model herself). Her first covers were for Glamour (for more, check out: First Cover) and Seventeen (for more, check out: Seventeen Cover) magazines, the November 1964 issues of both mags. Shelley said, "Modeling was a great summer job. It beat waitressing." Modeling remained a sideline however, as Shelley concentrated on her studies. But after graduating college, she signed on full-time at Ford Models Inc. and became one of the highest-paid models in the business... a certified Supermodel. Shelley became known worldwide as THE Charlie Girl from the many commercials and print ads she appeared in for the Charlie by Revlon brand. Shelley said, "The Charlie (Girl) image is interesting because people recognize me and some actually chase me down the street." Eileen Ford said of Shelley, "Modeling was just a vehicle she used to get educated. It was never a thing where she wanted to be the best model in the world. She simply became one of them despite herself."
