Page 6 - Florida Sentinel 7-8-22

Feature
Executive Leaves Corporate World To Pursue Her Passion In Fashion And Design
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
According to Cornie Simmons Hordge, founder and CEO of Cort of Appeal, “all my friends call me ‘extra.’ Being extra is what trig- gered her desire to become an entrepreneur in the fashion and interior design industry.
As a high school student, she was often voted best dressed in her hometown of Melbourne, Florida. Hordge developed a reputation for al- ways being dressed to impress.
Her home, of course, by extension, is as equally put together as her outfits. Hordge’s friends and family wanted her to help decorate their houses and as well as getting her expertise on clothing and accessories.
Meanwhile, Hordge was climbing the corpo- rate ladder after graduating from FAMU. She recently stepped down as a Vice-President at R1 RCM to focus on her business.
“As Black women, we often must deal with microaggressions in the workplace. I decided to build up my own business. I love my Cort of Ap- peal business and helping people. This business brings me joy,” Hordge says.
“I came up with the model and logos about seven years ago, so it was time.”
She officially opened Cort of Appeal last year. Her first event was a fashion show hosted by Next Level Entertainment 813 in Tampa last No- vember.
Additionally, Hordge has worked on several interior design projects for homes and offices in Tampa, Orlando, Washington DC, and Cleve-
CORTNIE SIMMONS HORDGE ....Founder And CEO Of Cort Of Appeal
land, Ohio. Her first big event was a Pop-Up Shop at Armature Works in March as her first big event. It was a chance to share her belief that people should feel good about themselves in what they wear and how their living space is de- signed.
Hordge believes that when it comes to plus-
sized women, often the choices are subpar.
“As a curvy girl, I want to provide my fellow curvy girls with the best options,” Cortnie said, “I want them to know they can look good in a
size 18 or 2.”
As for the future of Cort of Appeal, her web-
site offers three avenues for clients to explore and develop their style, Fashion Cort, Design Cort, and Cort’s Curvy Closet.
Hordge already has a full list of interior de- sign and fashion clients waiting for the “Cort Ap- peal” experience. The public can see and learn more about her during a ‘Stylist Competition’ in August during Tampa Fashion Week, where she will be competing to be the best stylist in the Tampa Bay area.
Hordge wants to grow awareness about her brand and expand into the next year. She wants to be a good example to Black and brown women through her work of helping make people feel good about themselves.
“My mother always told me ‘The best gift is the gift of example,’ I always want to be a living inspiration so my journey and actions can be a beacon for others, and right now that inspiration is helping to bring style to homes and wardrobes.”
Hordge is married to Larry Hordge, Jr. and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Gamma Theta Omega chapter.
She loves working with young people and is the chair of Emerging Young Leaders Group for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders.
To learn more about her business you can visit her website: https://www.cortappeal.com.
Local News
Fireworks Fires Destroy Homes
The Hillsborough County Fire responded to a blaze on Soratrace Street in Brandon at about 9:45 p.m. and saw heavy smoke and flames shooting through the home. Crews set up a de- fensive attack to stop the fire from spreading to neighboring houses.
Officials said at least one person was in the home escaped with two of his dogs. A third dog is still missing. No injuries were reported.
Investigators believe the heat of the left- over, discarded fireworks started the fire, which rapidly spread throughout the garage and the home.
Thirty minutes later, another fire broke out in the 5200 block of Ashley Parkway in Sara- sota County. The fire was extinguished around midnight and one firefighter was hurt but did not go to the hospital.
Officials said the blaze may have been caused by fireworks, but the incident is still being investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Then at about 11 p.m., crews were called to a fire in the 600 block of Pinewood Drive in
Dunedin. The blaze was quickly extinguished by firefighters in another case of discarded fireworks.
No one was injured. Officials said the Red Cross was called to assist six people who were displaced.
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