Celebrity stylist Michael Azzollini pleads guilty to cocaine possession

A stylist to the stars who has dressed E! host Ksenija Lukich, Wentworth star Danielle Cormack, actor Jodi Gordon and designer Terry Biviano said he was swept up in the atmosphere when he was caught with cocaine at Vivid last month.

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A stylist to the stars who has dressed E! host Ksenija Lukich, Wentworth star Danielle Cormack, actor Jodi Gordon and designer Terry Biviano says he was swept up in the atmosphere when caught with cocaine at a Vivid event at Carriageworks last month.

Stylist Michael Azzollini, 49, has his own swimwear line stocked in David Jones and his lawyer appealed to the magistrate not to convict him so he can expand his brand in Asia, the United States and Canada.

Michael Azzollini at Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: James Gourley

Azzollini pleaded guilty to prohibited drug possession after he was found with 0.7g of cocaine at English singer FKA Twigs’ performance at Carriageworks as part of Vivid on June 9 and was sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court to a 12-month conditional release order without conviction.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Allen said Azzollini’s outstanding career could have been instantly “washed up on the rocks” with a conviction.

“Cocaine is overwhelmingly overtaking the first world,” Mr Allen said.

“It’s taken by people who are otherwise upstanding — I suspect you would be blown away by how many matters this court deals with every day.”

Police facts stated plain clothes officers patrolling the event had seen Azzollini put something down the back of his pants as he entered the venue.

FKA Twigs during her recent Australian tour, where she performed at Vivid in Sydney and Dark Mofo in Hobart. Picture: Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford

“Police followed the accused and he appeared to avoid the drug dog by attempting to walk around,” agreed police facts stated.

“Police questioned the accused in relation to placing the item down his pants and the accused stated he had cocaine.”

Mr Allen pointed out Azzollini had faced a maximum two years’ imprisonment for the drug possession.

“There are police out there, they have their dogs, and they are picking up thousands of people every year for small quantities of drugs,” Mr Allen said.

“You’re obviously well engaged and very talented and well respected by those who have known you for a long time — you just didn’t think about this.”

Designer Terry Biviano with Michael Azzollini. Picture: John Appleyard

Azzollini has dressed Home And Away actor Sam Frost and Australian entertainment icon Dannii Minogue, and also styles national advertising campaigns for major brands such as Myer, Cotton On and Levi’s.

His swimwear line Azzo Swim is stocked at David Jones and has been worn by Australian actor Luke Cook, who currently plays Lucifer in Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and models Jordan and Zac Stenmark.

“He has been in the industry for 20 years,” his lawyer told the court.

“He does travel a lot through Asia but also to America and Canada, and he wishes that his own line reaches the American and Canadian markets.”

Mr Allen said he accepted Azzollini had taken responsibility for his actions and co-operated fully with police.

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