MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — West 6th Barbershop in Middletown will soon double as a fashion launch party, but Retro Rebel isn't just a brand.  

"Retro Rebel is more of a movement than a brand, or a big name, we're here trying to highlight the underdogs and the rebels of the society," said Gabrielle Serrano of Retro Rebel. 

Local young people are building a creative army to give opportunities in fashion, art and more without having to leave Orange County — bringing together fashion designers, artists, videographers, hair and makeup artists and others to build with them. 

"It would give Middletown a fresh, new outlet to do things that they wouldn't have done before," said J Alexander, a visionary behind Retro Rebel.

The Retro Rebel movement is just under a year old, and they're soft launching some of their new clothing in September. J Alexander and Gabrielle Serrano are two of the collaborators behind the movement. They say that they see the opportunity in their home community. 

"Everybody has a talent. Everybody has a specific look that they're looking for, and we're looking for that person," says Alexander. "And with Retro Rebel we're looking for that person. Anybody is welcome to be a model or work with Retro Rebel."

Aspiring model Joshua Trujillo says that he saw an opportunity at Tuesday's casting call for Retro Rebel's soft launch happening on Sept. 1. 

"It's anything you want to be, you're welcoming all types of art, you're welcoming all different types of culture it's people," said Trujillo. 

The creators self-funded the production and design of t-shirts for their soft launch, and say the shirts have a meaning that represents who they are.

"What is normalized is not always what is everyday for people, and we want to highlight that," said Serrano. 

Though this movement has local roots, Retro Rebel is thinking to the future. 

"My goals are to make the movement international, worldwide, for anyone who thought they couldn't do something to do something now,” said Alexander, who adds he hopes to have a full line by the end of the year. "And, not let anything stop them — their shyness, their insecurity, all of this — stop them from being who they are." 

And inviting anyone to join their movement, especially those local like them. 

"It's giving them a sense of hope, something that I didn't have before. Some hope and some faith — just keep going, don't stop what you're doing, keep going and someday your opportunity will fall into your lap," said Alexander.