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Love all for WA labels by tennis ace

French tennis player Alize Cornet selects a gown for the Hopman Cup New Year's Eve Ball. Picture: Megan Powell/The West Australian

When some of the world's biggest names in tennis strut the blue carpet for the Hyundai Hopman Cup New Year's Eve Ball tonight, they will be flying a glittering flag for WA designers.

In partnership with Perth Fashion Festival's international program, nine international tennis femme fatales, including France's Alize Cornet, Canada's Eugenie Bouchard, American Sloane Stephens and Australia's Jelena Dokic will wear ball gowns by Perth designers such as Steph Audino, Ruth Tarvydas, Flannel and Ae'lkemi for the event.

The chance to dress up in something sparkly is certainly welcomed by Cornet, who said she was used to wearing sportswear on and off the court.

"We never have time to do this kind of thing so it is really nice to take time and try on some dresses and get good advice from girls who really know what they are talking about," the 23-year-old, ranked No. 27 in singles, said.

While Cornet was keeping her final choice a secret, Bouchard is said to have fallen in love with the same One Fell Swoop dress worn by model Bambi Northwood-Blyth to open the designer's 2013 PFF show.

A hotel room in Crown Metropol was transformed into a mini pop-up shop before the ball tonight, with racks full of the colourful and embellished pieces, where players each had the chance to choose a gown that reflected their personal style. Stylist Andrea Tonkin said the homegrown labels were enjoying great exposure to sporting celebrities through the PFF international initiative.

"It's been a really great opportunity to say, 'This is WA, this is what our fashion icons can do' and it's wonderful that Perth Fashion Festival can be involved," she said.

Though Cornet's tennis trip to Perth leaves little time for play because she trains twice a day, she was hoping to check out local boutiques while in town.

"I do all my shopping in Australia every year because I love the clothes here," Cornet said.