Monday, March 22, 2021

Supermodel of the '70s

a closeup of Shelley in a promo pic for Charlie, 1977

After her schooling, Shelley signed on full-time at her modeling agency, Ford Models Inc., and became one of the top models in the United states. In 1976, she jumped to Supermodel status via a Revlon commercial for Charlie Perfume. She was one of first batch of models  who were able to negotiate previously unheard of, lucrative and exclusive deals with giant cosmetics companies. Shelley was THE Charlie Girl from 1976 to 1982 and her image and influence was/is iconic. The popularity of the ads was worldwide and Charlie perfume ads were translated into different languages.

Shelley in a Portuguese-language Charlie perfume ad

The popularity of the ads was worldwide and Charlie perfume ads were translated into different languages. Spanish, French, Portuguese... The ad always featured the spirit of Shelley's Charlie Girl - gorgeous, sexy, young, intelligent, confident and liberated. In 1979, the ad was translated to Portuguese. The text on the ad translates as follows:

Discover Charlie.
The fragrance full of surprises. 
Like you. 

The fragrance of a modern woman should be just like a man's: 
dynamic, cheerful, carefree, full of personality 
but at the same time very feminine. 

Like Charlie - the fragrance created especially for women 
who know exactly how to live and be alive. 
Charlie, more than a fragrance, it's an attitude. 

The Original Fragrance 
Charlie by Revlon