Barbie dreams to fashion scenes
by Jenna Niederkrom
From collecting Barbie outfits in her childhood bedroom to building a timeless fashion enterprise, Amanda Alarcon-Hunter’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence.
“I wasn’t into Barbie movies or trends but loved collecting Barbie outfits. My goal was to get one every week, and over time, I built an extensive collection,” she said, reflecting on how her love for fashion began at a young age.
A San Antonio native, Alarcon-Hunter (B.A.M. ’01), said early education in Catholic schools and family helped significantly shape her values and sense of style. This year, Alarcon-Hunter will return to St. Mary’s University as a guest speaker at the 2024 Business Week on Oct. 22. She will discuss sustainability, advocacy and fashion, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices in the fashion industry.
“I went to Henry De Osso Catholic School for elementary, then Mount Sacred Heart for middle school, and Incarnate Word College before transferring to St. Mary’s,” she said.
Alarcon-Hunter attributes much of her fashion sense to her mother and grandmother, who instilled in her the importance of etiquette. Her style choices growing up laid the foundation for a commitment to sustainable fashion.
Alarcon-Hunter initially considered pursuing a fashion or design degree. Encouraged by her father, Alarcon-Hunter landed at St. Mary’s University with a degree in Management from the Greehey School of Business, with plans to pursue fashion in the future.
“The decision to go to the best business school in San Antonio was easy,” Alarcon-Hunter said.
“The decision to go to the best business school in San Antonio was easy.”
— Amanda Alarcon-Hunter (B.A.M. ’01)
After graduating, Alarcon-Hunter worked at USAA and other corporations before revisiting her passion for fashion by opening her first consignment store, New York Exchange Boutique, in 2008. After selling the store in 2014, she briefly returned to the corporate world.
Embracing the opportunity to pursue design during the COVID-19 pandemic, Alarcon-Hunter launched the online store Minx and Onyx in 2020, inspired by her love for art and design. She found a creative outlet through redesigning textiles — a passion she has had since childhood.
Since its launch, the Minx and Onyx store has attracted customers from beyond San Antonio, showcasing her unique creations on runways and gaining international recognition.
Alarcon-Hunter’s journey into sustainable fashion began after stepping away from the consignment industry and realizing she had been unconsciously striving for sustainability without fully understanding or implementing it effectively.
She began sourcing vintage pieces from across the U.S. and redesigning them into unique, wearable art. This allowed her to merge her passion for fashion with sustainability. For example, she has turned vintage fabrics into one-of-a-kind dresses and accessories.
“There’s so much already out there. Don’t just buy new; reinvent what’s old,” she said. “I’ve used everything from 1930s tablecloths to shower curtains in my designs. It’s about rethinking and repurposing.”
Her dedication to sustainability aligns closely with the principles set forth in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, which calls for integral ecology and sustainable lifestyles.
“Our slogan on T-shirts is ‘Recycle, Reuse, Reinvent,’ inspired by Gandhi’s ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,’” she shared.
Her journey exemplifies how persistence and creativity can drive a movement toward a more sustainable future in fashion, reflecting the spirit of Laudato Si’. Just as St. Mary’s University integrates sustainability into its mission through various initiatives — like minimizing waste, promoting fair trade and expanding community gardens — work in fashion continues to push toward a more environmentally conscious industry.
“St. Mary’s gave me a strong business foundation crucial in pursuing my passion for fashion,” she said. “The skills and resilience I gained there have been essential in turning my dreams into reality and continuing to grow in my field.”
