Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds, knwon as "The Dean of Fashion," works at the intersection of luxury retail, higher education leadership, and cultural diplomacy. Over two decades, he has built a career translating creative insight into institutional strategy across fashion, business, and academia.

His foundation extends beyond traditional creative training, anchored by a doctorate in business administration and a background in special education—a dual lens shaping how he views structure, access, and design as drivers of opportunity and outcomes. He applied this approach in boutique development with URUP Designs in Atlanta and Nassau, as Assistant HR Director at Neiman Marcus, and as Academic Director at The Art Institute of Atlanta, leading curriculum development, industry alignment, and SACS accreditation support.

Today, Hammonds sits at the convergence of fashion, education, and institutional influence: as Senior Fashion Editor at Upscale Magazine, shaping cultural narrative; as a professor of business administration in Capella University's doctoral programs, developing emerging leadership; and as Cultural Ambassador and pageant host with the St. Lucia Fashion Council, engaging cultural and governmental stakeholders. Through CAH & Co., he advises brands and institutions across this spectrum.

His media presence spans CBS, NBC, FOX 5, 11Alive, NPR, and ABC, with editorial contributions to WWD and InStyle. He is the author of several works and wrote the foreword to Fashion Blueprint: Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Brand. His mentorship includes Startupbootcamp FashionTech Milan, contributions to the Emmy-winning The South Got Something to Say, and "HERE," a fragrance developed with Dragon Perfumes and featured in GQ and Condé Nast Traveler.

He holds a B.S. in Education from Alabama State University, an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a DBA from Argosy University. Honors include Atelier Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2026, the 2026 Role Model Academy Award, the Capella University Stephen Shank Award for Teaching Excellence, the Alabama State University 50 Under 50 Distinguished Alumni Award, and Modern Luxury's Men of Style distinction.

Photo: Skyy Wonders