Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds

Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds, known in fashion circles as The Dean of Fashion, works at the intersection of fashion, business, education, and culture. For more than two decades, he has built a career across all four, bringing the same strategic eye to a classroom, a luxury brand, or a cultural conversation.

Born in Columbus, Georgia and shaped by formative years in Berlin, Hammonds is now based in Atlanta. His career began in special education before moving into boutique development with URUP Designs and human resources leadership at Neiman Marcus. He later served as Academic Director of Fashion at The Art Institute of Atlanta, where he led its fashion programs through SACS accreditation.

Today, Hammonds serves as Founder of CAH & Co., a strategic consultancy; Senior Fashion Editor at Upscale Magazine; and doctoral faculty in Capella University’s School of Business, where he received the Stephen Shank Award for Teaching Excellence. He is also a Cultural Ambassador for the St. Lucia Fashion Council.

His influence spans fashion, media, education, and culture. An early Project Runway blogger, Hammonds remains a recurring fashion and culture commentator across NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX 5, 11Alive, WWD, and NPR. His work and collaborations have included André Leon Talley, June Ambrose, Tim Gunn, Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel, Nicolas Ghesquière of Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, New York Fashion Week, and New Orleans Fashion Week.

Hammonds co-created the fragrance HERE with Dragon Perfumes, featured in GQ and Condé Nast Traveler. He wrote the foreword to Fashion Blueprint: Step by Step Guide to Building Your Brand and appeared in the Emmy-winning The South Got Something to Say and Love, Patrick, honoring designer Patrick Kelly.

He holds a B.S. from Alabama State University, an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a DBA from Argosy University. His honors include Alabama State’s 50 Under 50, Atelier Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, and Modern Luxury’s Men of Style, among others.

Photo: Amelia Jackson