Supermodel of the '70s

Shelley in a PatDem pic wearing Liz Claiborne, 1978

Shelley was one of the highest paid models in the 1970s. She posed for many prominent fashion photographers during the time. One of them was Patrick Demarchelier, who took pics of Shelley for an article about her on Mademoiselle magazine in 1978. She was featured in the Starstyle section of the June 1978 issue. She was already a Supermodel by then and was known as THE Charlie Girl. The writeup explained the brand of beauty Shelley possessed. It wasn't stop-in-your-tracks Garbo-ish or endearingly quirky Lauren Hutton-ish. It said she had a clean, fresh, open and honest type of beauty. She was all-American and wholesome... you just like her, that's it. She projected a grown up cheerleader kind of vibe.

Shelley sporting trendy shades

in Fiorucci's NY boutique, 1978

The writeup described her personal style as "more Frost than Ferlinghetti, more Wyeth than Warhol. Clean. Classic. Unfettered." In one pic, she was photographed wearing a crinkle cotton camp shirt in butter over a waist-wrapping pants in olive drab, both by Liz Claiborne, caftan sandals by Selby and a Mankins hat. In another she was photographed in Fiorucci's NY boutique sporting their trendy new shades and wearing a big cotton purple gauze smock by Kennsington Blue over a pair of straight-legged denim jeans by UFO. Matching boots and hat finished her look. In both, Shelley looked fabulous.

Shelley getting ready for a photoshoot

for Mademoiselle magazine, 1978

TV Doctor

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic

for Cutter to Houston, 1983

Shelley's second foray into series TV was via the television show Cutter to Houston, which she headlined with Jim Metzler and then newcomer Alec Baldwin. It was about three doctors relegated to working in a small-town community hospital in the fictional Texas town of Cutter located miles from Texas. The facility was linked-up to a big city hospital in Texas via computer and had a helicopter for airlifting serious cases into the city. Shelley played Dr. Beth Gilbert, a surgeon whose dream was to perform heart surgery in Houston. Jim played Dr. Andy Fenton, a general practitioner and hometown boy put through med school by Cutter and was thanking/paying his town back. Alec played Dr. Hal Wexler, a Chicago internist on probation for writing unnecessary prescriptions.

Shelley with Alec Baldwin and Jim Metzler

in a TV Guide writeup for Cutter to Houston, 1983

Gay Gibson Ad NZ 2

a closeup of Shelley from a 1967 Gay Gibson ad from NZ

Shelley appeared in many ads for Gay Gibson during her modeling days. The brand was one of the many labels that came out of Kansas City, Missouri. It was a label that dated back to 1937 and that specialized in producing mid-priced fashions for young women. There was nobody named Gay Gibson associated with the brand though; it was owned by the Gernes Garment Company. The brand was exported to other countries including New Zealand where ads with Shelley would also appear.

Shelley with Linda Gauche and Terry Reno

in a NZ ad for Gay Gibson, 1967

Love Boat Episode D

The Love Boat Season Three Volume 2 DVD set,

The Love Boat Seasons 1-3 DVD set,

released 2017 and 2020 respectively

Shelley appeared in the another Aaron Spelling hit series during her year as one of Charlie's Angels. She was a guest star on the 3rd season episode of The Love Boat called "Dumb Luck/Tres Amigos/Hey, Jealous Lover" which was initially aired on March 15, 1980. She played nuclear physicist and professor Carol Ketay, Julie's friend, who couldn't get a date because she was just too brainy. Julie told Carol that her brains intimidated most men and advised her to dumb herself down a bit for the cruise. After giving Carol a makeover, they went ahead with Julie's plan and Carol found a steady date in Chris (played by Kevin Tighe). But just before the cruise was about to end, Chris breaks up with Carol because he thinks she's too dumb. So Julie tells Carol to show Chris how brainy she really was and the two end up happily in each others arms.

screen captures of Shelley from The Love Boat episode

"Dumb Luck/Tres Amigos/Hey, Jealous Lover," 1980

The role of Professor Carol Ketay fit Shelley to a T and she played her exceptionally well. She was also drop dead gorgeous and the outfits she wore were Supermodel glamorous and timeless. She was at the height of her Angel fame when the episode came out and her performance in it is one of the most memorable of that Love Boat season - she was hilarious. In fact, Shelley came in at no. 7 on the list of the "Best Guest Stars on The Love Boat" as listed by ranker.com in 2014. (It's a mystery why people at the time kept saying she couldn't act.) Jayne Meadows, James Gregory, Kevin Tighe and child star Ronnie Scribner were also in the episode. You can watch Shelley's performance as the episode has been included in The Love Boat Season Three Volume 2 DVD set and The Love Boat Seasons 1-3 DVD set, released 2017 and 2020 respectively.

screen captures of Shelley from The Love Boat episode

"Dumb Luck/Tres Amigos/Hey, Jealous Lover," 1980

What to Wear Under Black 3

a closeup of Shelley from the spread for Vogue, 1974

Shelley appeared in many issues of Vogue during her tenure as a Supermodel. In the mag's October 1974 issue, she appeared on the sexy spread called "What to Wear Under Black at Night". In it, she modeled sumptuous lingerie that women could wear underneath their fabulous black evening outfits. One of them was a sexy slip with an all-lace top a lace hem by Gossard Artemis. The pics were taken by her then boyfriend photographer Steen Svensson. Shelley was Supermodel gorgeous.

a pic of Shelley from the spread for Vogue, 1974

Play 1983

Shelley taking a break during rehearsals

for the play Close Ties, 1982

Shelley was very active in the stage scene back in the early 1980s. It's where she honed her chops as an actress. In 1981, she received glowing reviews for her work in the Jack Heifner play Vanities, surprising critics as well as her detractors. She then ventured further and did Elizabeth Diggs' Close Ties in 1983 and likewise received glowing reviews. Directed by Arwin Brown, it was about the struggles of a New England family coping with the senility of the clan's matriarch. Shelley played Anna, one of the matriarch's daughters, and wowed again critics. Her performance in both plays was proof that, yes, she could act.

Shelley in the play Close Ties, 1983

Carefree Patterns 1974 B

closeups of Shelley from a spread

for Carefree Patterns From McCall's, 1974

Shelley appeared on the pages of the Carefree Patterns From McCall's catalog, the July/August 1974 edition. The big book catalog featured the latest fashion patterns from McCall's for that summer season. Shelley appeared on several spreads throughout the catalog. With Shelley in the spread were her fellow uber models of the era, Patti Hansen (later Mrs. Keith Richards) and Lynn Woodruff (later Mrs. Sam Waterston).

Shelley with Patti Hansen and Lynn Woodruff

in a spread for Carefree Patterns From McCall's, 1974

In the spread called "Super-Cool Summer Skirts: Go Any Length," she modeled several McCall's patterns. She wore patterns 4095 and 4097. They were a short-sleeved pullover top with a scoop neck and a midi-length yoked bias skirt with inset pockets and left side zipper. A matching belt and heeled espadrilles finished her look. A straw hat, a head scarf and a necklace accessorized her outfit. She also wore pattern 4113. It was a back-zippered top with a ruffled hem, bias-bound armholes and a continuous neck binding that formed the shoulder straps. It had a matching a skirt with a ruffled hem and a side zipper. A straw hat, a head scarf, heeled espadrilles and trendy bangle finished her look. And Shelley looked super-cool as always.

closeups of Shelley from a spread

for Carefree Patterns From McCall's, 1974