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Male fashion on the up in WA

Harrison Kennedey, Andy Otto and Simon Crossland. Picture: Lincoln Baker

Perth men are embracing their fashionable sides more than ever, according to a prominent WA retailer.

While many stores have closed their doors in recent years because of the tough retail economy, business is booming for the local branch of menswear label Politix.

The brand is set to celebrate the launch of its new CBD store tonight, its eighth in the State, where notable local men including DJ Harrison Kennedy, model Simon Crossland and a collection of Eagles and Dockers players will suit up for an exclusive runway event.

Licensee Andy Otto told Access All Areas that the hype around the showcase proved local men were serious about style regardless of the economic climate.

"WA is a bit more resilient as far as economic times are concerned - we have found that the fly-in fly-out guys have always shopped well with us," he said.

"There is an appetite for fashion in WA and we service the guys really well so we have a good client base."

Otto said he enjoyed watching how men of Perth were starting to take more risks with their clothes.

"They are accepting a bit more colour and things like chinos and leather jackets don't scare them anymore," he said.

Kennedy, who is the partner of designer Poppy Lissiman and is known for his boundary-pushing take on style, predicted that events focused on men's fashion would take off in the next six months.

"The way Perth is changing so fast, I think there could be more fashion events for males than females," he said.

"We are in an ever-changing city and it's a sign of the times."

For Crossland, it is a local "cultural shift" that has made him keener to dress up in everyday life.

"I think the culture is changing in Perth and that leads to more fashion opportunities for men," the model and entrepreneur said.

"More classy events are popping up, which means men are going to go out and buy expensive suits."

Crossland added with a grin: "I love putting on a bow tie, it always gets me excited."