We recently connected with Austin Alegria and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

If I could go back in time, I honestly wouldn’t change when I started my business. I began designing in 2020 after losing my job due to the pandemic, and while it was a scary and uncertain time, it also pushed me to finally bet on myself. That period gave me the space to reconnect with my creativity and realize that fashion was more than just a hobby it was what I wanted to build my life around. Today, I’m proud to run ALEGRIA, my queer fashion brand based in San Antonio, Texas, alongside my boyfriend and business partner, Christopher Collins. Starting during such a chaotic moment taught us resilience and resourcefulness, and I think that foundation shaped who we are as designers and as a brand.

If I’d started sooner, I might have been further along in my career by now maybe collaborating with more designers, brands, or creatives I admire. At the same time, I think everything happens when it’s supposed to. The timing of 2020 forced me to grow quickly, adapt, and build something meaningful out of uncertainty. So while I sometimes wonder what could’ve been if I’d started earlier, I’m grateful for how it all unfolded because it shaped both who I am and what ALEGRIA stands for today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We are Alegría, a queer fashion brand started by Austin Alegria and Co-Designer Christopher Collins. A brand based in San Antonio, Texas. I started my journey in fashion design in 2020 after losing my job during the pandemic. What started as a way to cope and express myself creatively quickly became a full-fledged calling. Alongside my boyfriend and business partner, Christopher Collins, I built ALEGRIA from the ground up with the goal of creating bold, inclusive fashion that celebrates authenticity and individuality. ALEGRIA was born in the heart of San Antonio a city full of culture, color, and creative energy. From day one, our mission has been simple: to design fashion for everyone, no matter who you are, where you’re from, or how you identify. Whether you’re queer, gender-nonconforming, or simply someone who wants to wear what makes you feel alive, our pieces are made to help you show up in your truth and wear your confidence with pride.
What sets us apart is our commitment to originality, evolution, and style. Every collection is inspired by the people and places around us from San Antonio’s vibrant art scene to the resilience and spirit of our community. We’re not just making clothes; we’re creating statements of joy, freedom, and visibility. I am most proud of how our work has helped others feel seen and celebrated. For me, fashion has always been about more than trends it’s about storytelling, empowerment, and connection. Through ALEGRIA, I want people to know that self expression is powerful, and that there’s beauty in being exactly who you are. ALEGRIA is more than a brand it’s a movement of creativity, courage, and celebration. Join us on this journey. Wear your joy. Wear your truth. This is ALEGRIA.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is deeply personal. What drives me most is the desire to show any young gay Latino boy growing up in a small town that anything is possible. I want them to see that no matter where you come from or what obstacles you face, you can create your own path and thrive.

I also create in honor of my mother, who passed away before she could see me reach this point in my life. Everything I do is a way of showing her and myself that it is possible, that I can do this, and that her belief in me continues to live through my work.

Ultimately, I want my journey to remind people that it’s never too late to start, to dream, or to reinvent yourself. Whether you’re 18 or 48, your creativity and your passion are always valid. If my story can inspire even one person to take that leap, then I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I had lost my job and only had $500 maybe even less in savings. I put it all into buying a new sewing machine some tools, a fold out table, and some fabric to make bags. and the rest is history. as I made money selling my product whether it be online or at vendor markets I invested back into my brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.austinalegria.com
• Instagram: alegria1987_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alegria1987
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/austin-alegria-92694393

Image Credits

Robbi Gallagher