Friday, October 13, 2023

Modern, Independent Woman

a closeup of Shelley
from a Charlie perfume ad, 1978

Shelley became a Supermodel in the mid 1970s when she landed an exclusive contract to become the image model and spokesperson of Revlon's Charlie brand. Her tenure as the brand's ambassador was so successful it catapulted the brand, as well as herself, to worldwide recognition and fame. By 1978, the line "Now The World Belongs To Charlie" was added on their print ads. And Shelley was photographed smiling that smile and striding that stride wearing the latest fashions as she roamed around the most famous sites around the world. In 1978, she was photographed across the River Thames in Central London, England, across the historic castle the Tower of London (officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London). She was wearing a fabulous outfit by American fashion designer Bonnie Cashin, a pioneer in creating sportswear for women that were both innovative and uncomplicated and was just perfect for the modern, independent woman... just like THE Charlie Girl herself. And, of course, Shelley was her gorgeous, sexy-young self in the ad.

Shelley in a Charlie perfume ad, 1978