Known as The Dean of Fashion, Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds personifies the spirit of a renaissance man. Recognized for his sartorial and often whimsy attire, Hammonds is undoubtedly a prominent African American figure in the high-stakes world of fashion. With over 20 years of professional experience, Hammonds has built a reputation as a global educator, style expert and author. Long known to his constituents and students as a fashion and marketing mentor, Hammonds has been named one of Atlanta’s most influential style setters by www.modernluxury.com.

Dr. Hammonds has appeared on several syndicated network shows, consulted on private-label ready-to-wear brands, conducted 100+ style seminars across the world and launched interactive social media campaigns.

Other partnerships and appearances include; Reader’s Digest, Macy’s, Mezlan, Vannorland shoes, NPR, Bravo, Lifetime and ABC networks, Amelia Designs Photography and numerous nonprofit organizations.

A contributing fashion editor for multiple publications , Hammonds publishes a yearly Fashion Edition for www.hers-magazine.com cosmopolitan readership. Under Hammonds leadership, the magazine featured several high profile figures and scored collaborations with other renowned publications such as InStyle . A few published highlights are as follows:

•collaborative with InStyle, featuring Louis Vuitton’s artistic director, Nicolas Ghesquière.

•collaborative with InStyle, with Givenchy’s artistic director Clare Waight Keller and renowned makeup artist Daniel Martin.

•collaborative with InStyle , with acclaimed womenswear designer Christian Siriano.

•feature and cover stories with international fashion designer Mimi Plange , supermodel Emme, fashion photographer Nikka Lorak, and food network star Chef Jamika Pessoa.

In his previous role as Academic Department chair, Hammonds is credited for introducing the Gap for Community Colleges program to the Art Institute of Atlanta and branch campuses. Gap Inc. was initiated under President Obama’s presidency. Gap Inc. for Community Colleges upskilling workshops was a program facilitated by Gap Inc. store leaders in over 30 community colleges throughout the United States. Workshop topics included : Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, Dress for Success, Job Search to Job Offer, Problem Solving, and Time Management.

Hammonds currently sits on the board of the St. Lucia Fashion Council where he serves as a global marketing consultant. As a global consultant, Hammonds is devoted to helping create and capture more value in the promotion of St. Lucian fashion designs & related products to the United States & global marketplace. Additionally, he serves as a visiting professor for several universities.

Dr. Hammonds is the author of four fashion & philanthropic books. “Prescriptions of Style: A Definitive Style Guide to the Ordinary man”; “Reflections of Style: A Philanthropic Glance at the Arts”; “The Dandy Affair: Men Who Are Unapologetically Woven Into The Fabric of Life”; and “Men of Style: A Philanthropic Glance at the Arts”. All can be found on www.amazon.com.

In addition to his current roles, Hammonds was the previous fashion marketing & design department chair at the art institute of Atlanta and branch campuses , assistant human resource manager for luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, boutique owner and special education professional. He earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from Argosy University, Master's in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School and a Bachelor's in Education from Alabama State University. Born in Columbus, Georgia, he currently resides in Atlanta, Ga.