Article: Bronwen Saayman from women24

Click here to view the gallery of Madonna's transition.

Impoverished street smart nobody turned famous money earning somebody is a common rags to riches story too often told with the accompanying names of Winfrey, Robbins, Stewart, Trump and Branson. It's uncommon to hear the name Madonna bandied in such a group or spoken about at a motivational pep talk and it's unlikely she'd pen "if I can, you can" secrets to success tell-all.

She has, in fact, written a couple of books. Her first dabble in publishing was 'Sex', a visually graphic "coffee book" glossy with scintillating text, which was later followed by reading of a different kind, the tweely titled children's series The English Roses.

That's Madonna, from sex to english roses. Her life, much like her rise to reigning music diva, has enough fabric to rival many great biographies.

It's not, however, her upbringing, success or unshakable work ethic that makes her a singularly-named phenomenon. It's her ability to keep moving, appealing to a series of new and old fans.

Marketing gurus have attempted to label her evolution as the ultimate branding strategy and sure, with most celebrities and iconographic figures keeping one presentation, this would seem fitting.

Madonna however, could never be pigeonholed (she hates the word) and it's her uncanny ability to understand her audience that keeps them interested.

She's the ultimate shape-shifter and like great artists, the canvas, her image and lyrics, have changed and developed according to her environment. Madonna's wardrobe, throughout her professional career, is an artistic representation of the direction her career was taking.

From bubblegum punk to blonde material girl, goth queen to ghetto-fab cowgirl, Madonna's never been the same woman twice. She's not a passive performer and regardless of the style result, she's willing to try just about anything.

There's more to Madonna however than her image. Behind the ever-changing hairstyles and larger-than-life costumes is a woman with strength of character and courage of conviction. She is unapologetic about her past, faces criticism with truth and honesty and is prepared to be unpopular for her beliefs.

In a world dominated by entertainment and tabloid glossies, there are few women who could be considered role models. Certainly there are women with equal if not more talent but they aren't visionaries, Madonna's a risk taker who challenges the status quo and uses her rebellious spirit for creative causes.

She hasn't spent her life holding a champagne glass trying to be cute, she's worked hard to achieve success and that's why she's a contemporary, modern role model.

Click here to view the gallery of Madonna's transition.

Bronwen Saayman is Women24's image consultant.
Click here to ask her a question.