a closeup of Shelley
from an ad for Herman Geist, 1972
Shelley appeared in many ads that featured the Qiana fabric. The silky nylon fiber was developed in 1962 by Stanley Brooke Speck at the DuPont Experimental Station. It was introduced in 1968 and, although intended for the high-end fashion market, was a popular choice for faux-silk men's shirts and women's dresses in the 1970s as it displayed bold patterns a trend carried over from the 1960s. Many clothing manufacturers and designers used the material during the era.
Shelley in an ad for Herman Geist, 1972
Vintage clothing labels like Herman Geist, Jerry Silverman, Mr. Dino and Rina of California used the fabric. Designers George Halley and Kay Unger used it as well. Sears department stores, JCPenney department stores and Bonds Clothing Stores carried fashions that used the fabric as well. The silk-like nylon fiber was deemed luxurious and spanned both high-end and affordable apparel.
Shelley in an ad for Bonds Clothing Stores, 1976
