September 29, 2011 - "She's going to be Shelley Hack" said Bert Keeter, 57, Project Runway finalist on the 9th season of the mega-hit reality show.
The 10th episode of the season, entitled Sew '70s, challenged the contestants to come up with their interpretation of the sophisticated '70s (not retro or disco.) As the other contestants struggled, Bert was at the top of his game, having worked with Bill Blass, Halston and Arnold Scaasi.
"I went for Charlie, the Shelley Hack image that I remember," explained Bert as he presented his designs to Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and guest judge, the fab Olivia Palermo. His 3-piece design - an off-shoulder sparkly metallic chiffon top, a removable skirt in the same material and a pair of black hot pants (which, by the way, is also very Shelley Hack) - was a hit with the judges. Heidi said, "I do like this fabric a lot." Michael said, "I like this blouse in this metallic chiffon because women like to show their shoulders." Nina said, " I would buy that top. They would photograph phenomenal." Olivia said, "I love your first look , I think it's beautiful."
As we can see, the "Charlie Girl Shelley Hack" image continues to inspire. This sophisticated, confident and perennially windblown icon is cemented on the world's psyche (especially on those who lived through the '70s) and forever a symbol of the modern, sophisticated, liberated woman.