Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamryn McCorkle.
Hi Kamryn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Kamryn McCorkle, and I’m a designer, educator, and the creative behind Guichet Unique, a brand that allows me to bring together my love for fashion, creativity, and community.
I’ve actually been designing since I was about seven years old. Creating clothes and imagining designs was always something that came naturally to me. Even though that passion was always there, I didn’t truly decide to pursue fashion professionally until 2016, when I realized that this gift was something I wanted to build a life around.
I went on to study Apparel Design at North Carolina Central University, and I’m proud to say I’m a third-generation Eagle. NCCU holds a special place in my heart, not only because of my family legacy but also because it produced incredible figures in fashion like André Leon Talley, whose journey is inspiring to anyone coming from the same halls. I graduated in 2018, and at the time I fully expected my path to stay strictly in the fashion industry.
Right after graduating, I went straight into the industry, but an unexpected opportunity to teach came along. Teaching was never something I imagined myself doing, but my father strongly encouraged me to consider it. He saw something in me that I honestly didn’t see in myself yet. During that time, while I was in the process of stepping into that new chapter, my father passed away during the COVID era. Losing him was one of the hardest moments of my life, but his words and belief in me stayed with me.
That season of my life is what ultimately led me to Georgia, where I began teaching in Clayton County Schools. While there, I had the opportunity to help implement a fashion program for students, giving young creatives a space to explore design and express themselves. By the end of my first two years teaching, I was honored as Rookie Teacher of the Year, which was honestly shocking to me because teaching was something I never saw for myself but it ended up becoming a calling.
Today I continue that journey in DeKalb County Schools, still working to create opportunities for students to discover their creativity and confidence through fashion and the arts. Alongside teaching, I continue building Guichet Unique, which includes my fashion line Kammy Kouture and my nonprofit Clothes Don’t Cost a Thing, founded in honor of my father.
At the core of everything I do whether it’s designing, teaching, mentoring, or serving my community is love for the craft and for people. My journey has shown me that sometimes the path you didn’t expect ends up becoming the one that shapes your purpose the most.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many journeys, there have been a lot of moments that required resilience, faith, and patience.
One of the biggest challenges was losing my father during the COVID era. He was one of my biggest supporters and the person who really encouraged me to step into teaching when the opportunity first came. Navigating that loss while also stepping into a completely new career path was emotionally difficult. At the time, I was still trying to figure out my place in the fashion industry, and suddenly I found myself balancing grief, purpose, and a new professional identity all at once.
Another challenge has been building opportunities where they didn’t already exist. When I began teaching, especially implementing fashion opportunities for students, there weren’t always established programs, resources, or support systems in place. A lot of what I’ve done has required creativity, persistence, and believing in the vision even when it wasn’t easy.
There’s also the challenge of wearing many hats. As a designer, educator, and entrepreneur, balancing those roles can be demanding. There have been times where I’ve had to stretch myself, learn things on the fly, and trust the process.
But through all of those challenges, I’ve learned that every obstacle has helped shape my purpose. The difficult moments strengthened my commitment to serve, create, and open doors for others, especially young people who may not yet see the possibilities for themselves.
In many ways, the struggles didn’t stop the journey they helped define it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work centers around fashion, creativity, and mentorship. I’m a designer who specializes in wedding and special occasion garments, but I’m also an educator who believes fashion can be a powerful tool for confidence and self-expression. Through my brand Guichet Unique, I bring together design, teaching, and community work.
I like to say I’m the “Honey of fashion.” In the movie Honey, she created spaces for young people to pursue dance and discover their talent. In many ways, I try to do the same thing just through sewing and fashion. I work to create opportunities for students and young creatives to explore design, learn new skills, and see possibilities for themselves they may not have imagined.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just design garments I use fashion as a way to build community, inspire confidence, and open doors for others. For me, the work has always been about creating spaces where creativity and purpose can grow together.
How do you think about happiness?
What truly makes me happy is creating and seeing other people discover their own creativity. Whether it’s designing a garment, teaching a student how to sew for the first time, or watching someone gain confidence through fashion, those moments bring me a lot of joy.
I especially love seeing young people realize their potential. Sometimes all it takes is someone believing in them or giving them the space to try something new. Being able to create those spaces whether in the classroom or through my work in fashion is incredibly fulfilling.
At the end of the day, what makes me happiest is knowing that the things I create, whether it’s a dress, a program, or an opportunity, can positively impact someone else’s life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kammykamm_
