Christina Perez, apparel designer and proprietor of a new clothing company called Fasten, began her fashion career as a model. For six years, she traveled the globe and worked in world fashion capitals such as Tokyo, Milan and Paris.

"Working and being surrounded by amazing designers inspired me to come back to Milwaukee and start making my own clothing," says Perez, who teamed up with local designer Vanessa Andrew and started Fasten earlier in the summer.

Perez's vision is to create a cooperative providing an alternative outlet for emerging designers and craftspeople. She currently has a booth at the East Side Open Market every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where she sells clothing, hats, purses, wrist bands, magnets and more.

Fasten originally launched with Andrew's line of clothing, "Tidelle," and Perez's line, "Antlier" but within a few weeks of operation, eight other designers became involved. Everything the company sells in on a consignment basis, with the owners retaining only a minimal percentage.

Lately, Perez has researched fashion from the '20s through the '50s, which has influenced her work in subtle ways. Yet her pieces are definitely not retro. Somehow, the combination of past trends, complete with Perez's signature style, resulted in clothing that's unlike anything seen before.

"I am in a bit of feminine, girly phase I guess," says Perez, explaining the abundance of skirts and tops she has designed recently.

Most of her tops are made from stretch-knit fabric that she hand-dyes herself. This process gives the piece a batik-y look, without being too peasant or hippie, thanks to the modern and unique shapes.

"I basically use whatever fabrics I can get my hands on," she says. "I buy vintage fabrics at specialty shops and thrift stores. It's hard to find good fabric, so searching for it has become sort of an adventure."

Perez's work is also available at www.smacdesign.com, another Milwaukee-based company, and will be available Gallery Night on Fri., July 25 at Lucky Star Gallery, 207 E. Buffalo St.

Perez and Andrew are shopping around for a permanent location for their business, but for now, Perez's Bay View apartment serves as Fasten's headquarters.

Perez, who grew up in Brown Deer and Wauwatosa, has found inspiration in Brew City, and claims the past seven months have been the most productive time in her life.

"I have always been a Milwaukee girl. Some of the coolest people I have ever met are here and I think that is why I came back here ... They have passions," she says.