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 In 1985 Madonna Melrose completed a two year apprenticeship in hairdressing and went on to obtain a Diploma in Film, Fashion, Television, Photography, Special Effects & Stage Make-up in 1986 at The Advanced Make-up Academy, in Sydney, under the guidance of Patricia Glassop (nee Hutchence).
1987-1988 was spent studying her artistry even further by completing a number of certificate & refresher courses in Sydney at The Three Arts Make-up Centre, Pivot Point Hairdressing Academy and Make-up Glamour.
In 1988-1989 Madonna’s association with Make-up Glamour became more involved as she was appointed principal tutor for the Professional Diploma Courses and the Certificate Personal Use Courses. She also introduced and designed a new Certificate Course for the school in Professional Hair Styling.
1989 saw Madonna traveling to Egypt as Hair and Make-up Artist and Stylist for two of Australia’s best know and respected fashion designers, Carla Zampatti and Trent Nathan.
Upon her return from Egypt in February 1990, Madonna established her own make-up studio in Ultimo, Sydney. The Professional Make-up Studios soon added a Professional In-House Photographic Studio and she began: -
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Tuition in Make-up, Hair & Skincare for Personal & Professional use
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Corporate Grooming & Staff Training Seminars for the Hotel Industry
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Agency for Professional Hair & Make-up Artists
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Wedding Advisory Service & Hair & Make-up Service
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Makeovers & Special Occasion Make-ups
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Model Portfolios & Before & After Photography
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Casting/Talent Agency
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Fashion Parades & Event Planning
After many successful years running the company, Madonna was offered an opportunity that would cement a strong personal & professional relationship that remains to this day.
1994 began her association with Olivia Newton-John as her hair & make-up artist & wardrobe consultant on the film clip No Matter What You Do. Shortly after Madonna began traveling the world with Olivia for the TV series Wildlife. This created opportunities for Madonna to work with HRH Prince Albert of Monaco in the grounds of the palace & with Mikhail Gorbachev in Russia.
Upon settling back into Australia, Madonna formed her current business, Melrose International. Fast gaining an outstanding international reputation, she began looking after overseas celebrities during their stays in Australia.
Among them were Pierce Brosnan filming for Planet Ark, Jeremy Irons for publicity of films Chinese Box & Lolita, music sensation The Backstreet Boys on a publicity tour & Sinead Cusak for My Mother Frank’s publicity.
While still remaining a freelance Hair & Make-up Artist, a career move into Styling saw Madonna work on some of this country’s leading identities including Dame Edna Everage, Lindy Chamberlain, Supermodels Sarah O’Hare & Megan Gale, televisions Jana Wendt, Sandra Sully and Jane Turner and music sensations Cassey Chambers and Tina Arena to name only a few.
Madonna has also worked on some of Australia’s largest advertising campaigns such as Panasonic with Olivia Newton-John, Optus, Reebok, Schwarzkopf, Bras‘n’Things, Rip Curl, and Quicksilver
Expanding into Events Management saw the staging & production of major fashion parades, bridal expos, jewellery & fashion launches & shopping centre promotions. Madonna soon became a much sort after public speaker and compare for many industry functions, corporate organizations & fashion events.
In 1998-2000 Madonna traveled with Olivia Newton-John as her Personal Assistant throughout Australia & across America on her numerous sellout concert tours, charity events, public appearances and media commitments. One of the highlights of this time was The Main Event with John Farnham & Anthony Warlow.
Preparations soon began for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in which Madonna was assisting Olivia in all areas pertaining to her performance for the opening ceremony. The wardrobe fittings, The jewels, The make-up, The dressing room with Tina Arena & Vanessa Amorosi, The rehearsals with John Farnham and so much more.
The following two months were spent on the set of the movie Wild Girls, filmed on the Australian Gold Coast starring Olivia and her daughter Chloe Lattanzi.
After some amazing professional achievements throughout the year it was time to set some new goals and challenges. So it was, at the end of 2000, Melrose International moved its operations from Sydney to Melbourne while still maintaining a strong presence in the Sydney market.
In Melbourne, Melrose International has been running fashion workshops with the Toorak Traders Association as women clamor to learn more about the effects a properly styled outfit and a correctly applied make-up can have. Fashion workshops in conjunction with The National Trust at Como House and Rippon Lea have also proved very popular.
2003 saw Melrose International produce a TV series for the community channel, C31 in Melbourne, called “Beauty Basics”. As Host and Executive Producer, Madonna covered topics such as make-up, skincare, fashion, cosmetic medicine and alternative healing each week with fashion labels such as Calibre, Vicious Threads and Metalicus contributing greatly to the shows success.
A lightining trip to Milan in May 2004 was an incredible time for Madonna as she had the opportunity to do some extensive training with her favourite make-up range, Diego Dalla Palma. So successful was the trip that she is now the new driving force behind the range in Australia and New Zealand.
I guess that wonderful saying comes to mind, "She was so impressed with the product, she bought the company"
If you would like to experience for yourself this incredible make-up range, check out the stockist page at the Diego Dalla Palma link on my home page.
Currently Madonna is a contibuting Fashion & Beauty writer for the magazine Italy Down Under. In coming issues she talks with the Italian fashion designer Renato Balestra and covers his only fashion showing from the Crown Casino. Also she chats openly with international jeweler Nic Cerrone.
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