Portrait of Madame Josephine by Rex Wood

Scanned copy of an oil painting portrait of Josephine Piazza (Madame Josephine) by the artist Rex Wood.

Josephine Piazza (Madame Josephine) was born San Giacommo Di Lusiana, Vicenza, Italy. She was the first Italian woman to study in Paris at L'Ecole Technique Des Arts De La Coiffure Et Des Soirs De Beaute. She opened her first salon Salon Pozza in Thiene, Italy.

With her husband Egidio, Josephine arrived in Australia in December 1949. Her reputation had preceded her, and she was immediately employed by Miller Anderson & Co. at their Hindley Street salon - then the most prestigious in Adelaide. She acquired her own salon, the "Theatre Beauty Salon" in the Theatre Royal building a short time later, but this was always referred to as "Madame Josephine's" - the name she eventually worked under.

Much time was given to professional bodies including the International Coiffure De Dames ICD. and the Hair Fashion Council of South Australia, and Madame Josephine was the only South Australian to hold membership to "La Haute Coiffure" Paris. Her hair styles were said to have brought traffic to a standstill in Adelaide streets, and the timing of movie premieres were altered so that theatre goers could appreciate the talents of this gifted lady.

After twelve years, the Theatre Royal Salon was sold, and Madame Josephine designed the first "open space" salon in Australia, opposite her old salon. Here she demonstrated the latest techniques to fellow stylists free of charge, believing this was all to the advancement of the craft. She also continued her involvement on the wider hairdressing scene, as judge at national and international competitions, and representing Australia at the World Congress of La Haute Coiffure Paris. Her work was reproduced in magazines including DFZ, and shown on television. The artistic guild of Turin awarded Madame Jospephine their gold medal and honorary membership.

In 1982 Madame Josephine, with son George, moved the salon to nearby Gilbert Place. In 2011, the salon shifted next door and remodelled for its continuing clientele.

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