Eileen Ford Supermodel

Shelley in a modeling pic

from the 1970s

When Shelley graduated from Smith College in 1970, she decided to become a model full-time. Represented by the top model management company, Ford Models Inc., she began her transition from teen model to top model... and eventually to Supermodel. Her then boyfriend, photographer Steen Svensson, and make-up artist extraordinaire Rick Gillette came up with test shots of Shelley in the early '70s with the hope that the images could get her on the pages of Vogue and Harper's Bazaar - which eventually happened. She appeared on both the US and international editions of the magazines. According to Rick, "In the early 70’s before "Charlie", before "Charlie’s Angels", Shelley Hack was an ex-teen model looking for a more sophisticated look to get her into Vogue. I was creating a portfolio with the same goal in mind." By the late 1970s, Shelley was a certified Supermodel, one of the highest-paid in the business.

Shelley in a modeling pic

from the 1970s

Night Court Attorney

Shelley joined the cast

of Night Court in 1984

In 1984, Shelley was cast as public defender Christine Sullivan for the second season of the nighttime sitcom Night Court. Shelley said she was delighted with her character, a defense attorney who will eventually become romantically involved with Judge Harry Stone (played by comedian Harry Anderson). "I liked the show. They offered me the role. I went and met with them and liked them," Shelley said in a 1984 interview. "But what happened was the role was changed somewhere between that meeting and my first day on the set," she added. "Instead of being a funny lady, as she was in the reading, they had changed her into a straight woman," Shelley continued. Shelley didn't think it was working; so she and the producers of the show amicably parted ways without her completing a single episode. Promotional pics of Shelley with the cast (as well as her solo promo pics) were produced though.

a writeup about Shelley

joining the cast of  Night Court, 1984

Blouse, Skirt, And Vest Ensemble

a closeup of Shelley

from the package cover

of Simplicity Pattern 5297, 1972

Shelley appeared on many Simplicity pattern catalogs, brochures and packaging during the 1960s and 1970s. The Simplicity Pattern Company is the leading manufacturer of sewing patterns and sewing pattern guides which are distributed throughout the world. They have been manufacturing sewing patterns since 1927 and have allowed fashionistas on a budget and sewing aficionados to create clothes in a reliable manner. In 1972, Shelley appeared on the package cover for Simplicity Pattern 5297. It was a pattern for a misses' skirt in two lengths, a blouse, and a vest. The blouse had a high round neckline, a collar, a back zipper, and long set-in sleeves that gathered to snap-fastened cuffs (lace edging details and ribbon bows were optional). The skirt could be made in either ankle-length or mini-length. The lined vest was top-stitched, had a low-round neckline, and fastened with either loops and buttons or chain and button closings... as preferred. Shelley wore the blouse in white and with lace edging details, the ankle-length skirt in black, and the vest in a predominantly-red check pattern. Matching black hose and black pumps finished her look. A black ribbon bow tie for women and a fancy ring accessorized her look. And Shelley looked chic, fab, elegant and pretty.

Shelley on the package cover

of Simplicity Pattern 5297, 1972

Dinosaurs, Diamonds, and Angels 3

a closeup of Shelley from a promo pic

for Charlie's Angels, 1979

Look-In magazine was a kiddie/teen UK magazine that featured two-page comic/picture strips of the most popular television shows of the era. Subtitled as "The Junior TV Times," its first issue came out in 1971 and its final issue came out in 1994. Many popular American TV series were featured in the mag including Kung Fu, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, CHiPs, Battlestar Galactica, Mork and Mindy... and, of course Charlie's Angels.

Shelley as Tiffany Welles in Look-In mag's

Charlie's Angels comic/picture strip, 1980

From 1979 to 1980, during the airing of the 4th season of Charlie's Angels, Shelley's Tiffany Welles character was featured in the mag's Charlie's Angels comic/picture strip. Along with her co-Angels Kelly Garrett (Jaclyn Smith) and Kris Munroe (Cheryl Ladd), Tiffany solved cases for Charlie for several issues, two pages a week. Her first case debuted on November of 1979 and her final case ended on October of 1980. The mag also featured occasional writeups about Shelley as well as posters of her and the Angel team of that season.

Shelley Hack with Jaclyn Smith,

David Doyle and Cheryl Ladd

in a promo pic for Charlie's Angels, 1979

Charlie in Mexico

Shelley in a promo pics

for Charlie perfume and cosmetics, 1976

Shelley was THE quintessential Charlie Girl. She catapulted herself as well as the brand to worldwide recognition and success. There were others before her, but it was Shelley that captured the imagination of many worldwide. A few months after she began endorsing the brand, it became the no. 1 scent in the entire world. Charlie Girl Shelley was gorgeous, sexy, young as well as vibrant and confident. She was an inspiration to many worldwide and appeared in numerous Charlie ads in different languages.

Shelley in a 1978 Spanish-language

Mexican Charlie perfume ad promoting

a contest sponsored by Revlon Charlie

In 1978, Shelley appeared in a Spanish-language Mexican Charlie perfume ad promoting the "The World Belongs To Charlie" contest. The text on the ad translates as follows:

PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION

The World Belongs To Charlie

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Revlon Charlie has organized "The World Belongs To Charlie" contest, where you can be the Charlie Girl of 1978. This contest will run from June 15th to July 31st.

"The World Belongs To Charlie" and it's a dynamic, fresh, and youthful world full of surprises, with the activity and lifestyle that characterize the Revlon Charlie fragrance.

This world can be yours, and you can be the Charlie Girl. If you're young, cheerful, adventurous, stylish, open-minded, sporty or all of the above, you can participate in the exciting "The World Belongs To Charlie" contest organized by Revlon has for you.

Just go to the Perfume Department of any major department store or self-service store and fill out a "The World Belongs To Charlie" entry form.

RULES

Female Mexican nationals, legal residents between the ages of 18 and 32 are eligible to participate in this contest.

Employees of Revlon, S.A., its affiliated companies, its suppliers, its advertising agency, employees of various advertising media, and their families are not eligible to participate. Neither are individuals who have professionally pursued artistic or modeling activities.

The winner of this contest will be selected from among the 10 finalists, based on their personality and cultural background, by a jury.

The finals of the contest will be held at Revlon, S.A., on August 31, 1978.

PRIZES

The first place winner will be selected 

from among the 10 finalists. 

The first place winner will receive:

National Savings Bonds valued at $50,000.00

A wardrobe valued at $40,000.00

A supply of Revlon products worth $10,000.00

Total Prizes: $100,000.00

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill out an entry form and submit it before July 31, 1878, to the Charlie counter of your favorite department store (the Perfume Department) or directly to Ms. Ema Torres Sarabia, Revlon Promotions Department, Av. Vision del Norte No. 3395, Mexico City 22, D.F.

The Model-Turned-Actress Stigma

Shelley in promo pics

from the 1980s

Shelley began a career in modeling during her teens in the 1960s and eventually reached the pinnacle of her profession in the 1970s, as she became one of the highest-paid Supermodels of the era. Like  many a Supermodel, Hollywood came knocking on her door. But it seems that her success in modeling had become both an asset and a hindrance to her acting career. Modeling may have opened Hollywood doors for her, but "There's a funny prejudice in general against models who act," Shelley stated. "I guess it's because they look for pretty girls who haven't necessarily studied acting," she added. But whether modeling or acting, for Shelley (who studied acting at Herbert Berghof Studios under Jack Wolzer in New York in the 1970s), it's a business where one is self-employed. In order to succeed, Shelley said, "You do that by studying, being prepared, by being responsible when you are working. The same as any other career." It was a way to beat the stigma that came with being a model-turned-actress.

a writeup about Shelley from 1990

Sweater Set, 1975

a closeup of Shelley

from an ad for Jacobson's, 1975

Shelley appeared in many ads during her Supermodel days. She appeared in several ads for Jacobson's which was a regional department store chain that focused on high-end apparel, fine jewelry and home furnishings. It was known for personalized fashion shows as well as its posh atmosphere. In 1975, Shelley appeared in an ad for Jacobson's wearing an outfit by Tiktiner. Tiktiner was a family-owned and run fashion business based in the French Riviera, founded by Dina Tiktiner Viterbo. By 1975, the brand was known for high-quality two- and three-piece coordinated ensembles at couture-level prices. In the 1975 ad, Shelley wore a Tiktiner navy and white companion pointelle sweater set over a Tiktiner below-the-knee gabardine skirt. A casual belt, skin-colored hose and cross-strap high-heeled sandals finished her look. A complementing scarf and chunky earrings accessorized her look. And Shelley was high-end chic and breathtakingly beautiful in the ad.

Shelley in an ad for Jacobson's, 1975