Stylist Jamie Azzopardi hits back at trolls over Melbourne Fashion Festival criticism
Jamie Azzopardi has shut down trolls blasting their decision to wear women’s clothing, while boasting of wearing dresses with “$2m worth of diamonds.”
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Celebrity stylist Jamie Azzopardi has hit back at trolls criticising and mocking their fashion choices at the Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Azzopardi, who identifies as non-binary, proudly wears women’s clothing and copped a raft of negative comments about their looks.
“I dress to impress and to start a conversation that inclusivity is always key,’’ Azzopardi said.
“One where size, colour, nationality, religion or socio-economic backgrounds don’t matter.
“I came from a poor background and now I wear dresses with $2m worth of diamonds in them to challenge what is the social norm because I want to propel that forward.”
Azzopardi, who styled the likes of Collingwood star Jack Crisp, North Melbourne footballer Curtis Taylor and reality stars including Mitch Hibberd and the three Bachelors Felix Von Hofe, Thomas Malucelli and Jed McIntosh, said it was disappointing to receive hurtful comments.
“Out of the 8,236 comments I received last week at least half of them were this,’’ they said.
“I am so sorry for those of you who sent me negative energy and bad wishes last week. I’m not sure what compels you to treat another human that way but clearly the disconnect between what you’ve learnt is right and wrong is more important than you showing others kindness.
“Being gay is not new, and last time I checked we were all talking about equality — man/woman, the separate religions, p.o.c/caucasian, gay/straight.
“I don’t think I’m a woman, in fact the opposite, I was born a male and identify as non binary because sometimes I am more affeminate and sometimes I am more masculine.
“I have many women friends and many in fashion, I’d never want to take their jobs, but more stand with them and champion what they bring to the table.”
Azzopardi said they came down from Sydney for the Melbourne Fashion Festival to celebrate not be flooded with hate.
“I left blood, sweat and tears out there to try and impress, educate and wow each and every one of you,’’ they said.
“They say you know you’ve made it when the hate floods in, but for me it’s seeing all the love that let’s me know just how much I have overcome, and I’d do it all again for each of you.”
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Originally published as Stylist Jamie Azzopardi hits back at trolls over Melbourne Fashion Festival criticism
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