Modest Fashion. Big Reach.

Like any other student, Summer Albarcha studies in Pius Library, worries about her midterms and goes to her classes regularly. But unlike other students, Albarcha is a rising star in the world of modest fashion blogging.

What started as a hobby in high school has since become a business. A junior in the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, Albarcha said she always had a passion for fashion trends but didn’t see much coverage of people who dressed modestly.

“I really never saw this person in the media. It was really hard to find someone to look up to who was a modest fashion icon,” Albarcha said.

She aimed to fill that void by sharing blog posts and photos of her own modest outfits. Her reputation grew and companies began approaching her with requests for her to feature their products.

Since founding her blog, Albarcha has garnered international media attention. She currently has more than 329,000 followers on Instagram and has received invitations to fashion week events around the world. She said her following is indicative of the importance of the work she is doing.

She attributes much of her entrepreneurial success to Saint Louis University’s Diamond in the Rough (currently Blue Diamond Accelerator) program. Albarcha graduated from the program in 2015, but said the resources and mentorship the program provided have been instrumental in her business’ growth.

“Diamond in the Rough really gave me the motivation to continue with my business. Every time I’d think that what I’m doing doesn’t count as a business, my mentor reassured me that it was and that it’s working, “ Albarcha said.

Albarcha was chosen to represent SLU at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization National Conference where she was able to pitch her business idea to potential funders and networked with entrepreneurs from across the country.

View Albarcha’s work online at summeralbarcha.com and on Instagram at summeralbarcha.