Big Boss Olivia
By Ivor Davis
Olivia Newton- John’s movie career may be in a slump, but the Australian superstar has now begun a new, high-powered role as Olivia, international business tycoon. In California recently, the golden girl from Down Under announced ambitious plans to open 120 Koala Blue stores in North America and right around the world within the next three years. This multi-million-dollar expansion of her already booming boutique business is as exciting to Olivia as a role in any new big-budget movie. And she feels certain the venture is going to be a success.
With her partner Pat Farrar, Olivia showed up recently in Costa Mesa, California, to open the fourth Koala Blue store. At the launch, before 200 celebrities, friends and well-wishers, she spoke of her ambitions for the future. She told them: “We have just signed a 26-store agreement for Canada alone and we’re deep into discussions about opening other stores in Mexico, Japan, Hawaii, Colorado and other major cities on the east coast of America.”
Little Chloe, 14-month-old daughter of Olivia and her actor-husband Matt Lattanzi, was at the launch too, although she didn’t quite understand what all the fuss was about as cameras clicked away, recording one of her rare public appearances. Until now, Chloe has been kept far from the limelight in Olivia and Matt’s Malibu home. When the couple have visited Australia, Chloe has spent most of her time well away from the public at the family’s rural property in Ballina, New South Wales. Australian audiences only briefly glimpsed the baby girl when she woke crying during a television interview Olivia was doing to promote her September trip back home. Then, her protective mum brought her out to wave a quick hello.
Even when Olivia visited Melbourne to sing at the VFL grand final last year, Chloe stayed in- doors, watching Mum on TV. Pat Farrar says: “Of course, Olivia’s husband and her baby come first. “Like many superstars, she has changed her priorities. But, she has a very shrewd business and fashion sense, and she’s simply going in new directions.” Olivia’s first store and milk bar, which opened three years ago in Hollywood’s fashionable Melrose Avenue, was an instant smash. It offered Australian-made T-shirts, sweaters and other fashion items with an Australian look to some of the biggest names in the entertainment business. Suddenly, Cher, Cybill Shepherd, Veronica Hamel and scores of other showbusiness celebrities were sporting the Aussie look.
A third Californian store recently was opened in Palm Desert, the millionaires’ playground. About 160km from Hollywood, it is home to film stars Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Kirk Douglas, and to former U.S. president Jerry Ford. Olivia, it seems, is in the forefront of the popular Australian ‘invasion’ of the U.S. Along with her Koala Blue success, the vivacious singer has also been busy with a series of TV commercials for the Victorian Tourist Bureau. Following the enormous interest in Australia during the America’s Cup challenge, the huge popularity of Paul Hogan and Crocodile Dundee, and the current craze for goods designed by artist Ken Done, Pat and Olivia are confident the time is right for their major business expansion. “Australia is on everyone’s lips in this part of the world,” they say. “It’s the hottest commodity around today and we think it’s going to continue the same way.”
Olivia’s fans keep hoping that their idol will consider teaming up with Paul Hogan for the sequel to Crocodile Dundee. And the suggestion may not be fanciful. Olivia has only temporarily shelved her acting and singing career to give Chloe the attention she needs. “I think, until you have a baby, you are missing out on an awful lot in life,” she says. Olivia, who turns 40 next year, says nothing can outshine the joys of having a child. “Chloe is my greatest achievement,” she says, proudly.