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Alex Perry praises Perth style

Alex Perry says the women of Perth have an international flair for fashion.

The famed designer is in WA for a spread of events to coincide with Telstra Perth Fashion Festival, which kicked off with the annual Myer Fashion Lunch at the State Reception Centre yesterday.

While this trip will be the longest Perry has spent in the State to date he had observed the "global" sense of style among local women on previous visits.

"When I was in Perth last time, women were wearing great Australian brands and international names," the Australia's Next Top Model judge said.

"It's not provincial any more. Australia is not provincial. Twenty years ago we may have been struggling but there is fashion everywhere now. It's in department stores, it's in boutiques and it's online. I think Perth women stand up to anyone else in the world."

Local fashion punters will get another taste for Perry's designs tonight when his latest collection Varsity will take to the stage at Ascot Racecourse as part of the Galvanised - Ultimate Showstoppers runway event.

Then tomorrow, the couturier will give style advice to women during the Myer Fashion Masterclass - a free event at 12.30pm tomorrow at Myer's Perth store where members of the public can ask Perry and other designers about the latest trends and how to dress for their body type.

"I love being able to sit down with people and have a chat, and women can ask you questions about fashion," Perry said. "Those things could go on for ages for me - I never get tired of them."

Although his TV persona can be outspoken, Perry said he was always up for a good chat with strangers.

"I think because they see me on TV they feel they know me, so we have instantly good conversations," he said.

"They are not frightened to come up and have a chat with me and I am not frightened of them either."

When Perry returns to Sydney there won't be any rest. He will head straight back into shooting ANTM and promised this year would be a big one for the pay-TV FOX8 series.

"We start filming next week when I go back home so I will meet the finalists on that day with Jen (Hawkins)," he said.

"We have really great girls this year. I think we are going to get someone amazing this year."