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WA models walk tall for DJs show

He is one of Australia's leading male models on the international circuit, while she is a fresh-faced ingenue starting out in the industry.

But *Tom Bull *and *Sharnee Gates *had something in common last night when they both walked in the bi-annual David Jones fashion launch for the first time.

The *WA *models were among the line-up of Aussies at the autumn/winter parade, which also included *Perth *-raised beauty *Jessica Gomes *, *Montana Cox *and *Samantha Harris *.

Though Bull has stomped the runway for Giorgio Armani and Vivienne Westwood in the past, he said nothing beat returning Down Under from New York, where he is based.

"It's always really nice to come back to Australia and work for Australia's best clients - it makes the experience that much more exciting when it's in your home country," the 25-year-old, who opened for Calibre in the David Jones show last night, told _AAA _.

Bull has been back in Australia for six weeks, spending Christmas and new year in Perth with his family before driving down to his mother's *Margaret River *winery, Rivendell. He then hopped over to Sydney to meet his dad for a golf trip and plans to stay on for a while longer.

"I have an acting course here on weekends until Easter so I think straight after that I will head back to the US," he said.

He said his New York agency was very keen for him to get back over there "so I think I will be splitting my time between LA and New York for the rest of the year".

Gates landed her spot on the coveted catwalk after trying out twice for the event and succeeding the second time.

She said she had a fan-girl moment when she saw the other names walking in the parade and hoped to replicate the success of WA models who have worked with the retail giant in past years, including *Nicole Trunfio *and *Megan Gale *.

"All the models that do David Jones seem to do quite well, so fingers crossed it will do the same for me," the 16-year-old said.

Gates has recently returned from a stint in London and will head back to Europe in May after Australian Fashion Week. "But I will go home to Perth whenever I'm not working," she grinned.

JESSIE PAPAIN