When style and space intersect, magic happens. Four Charleston designers reveal how their personal fashion choices and professional design work inform each other, proving that authenticity transcends medium. From coastal interiors to nature-inspired textiles, these women show us that the way we dress and the way we design both tell the story of who we are—and both require the courage to stay true to our vision.
FASHION MEETS DESIGN – Cortney Bishop’s Style Story
From interiors to fashion, Cortney Bishop’s creative eye knows no bounds. As her interior design studio Cortney Bishop Design nears two decades, Bishop’s work, wardrobe and world travels all blend together beautifully.
The Charleston designer attributes her innate ability to mix patterns and hues to her love for travel, art, fashion and music-passions that translate seamlessly from room to runway. Just as she balances creativity, comfort and functionality in her interior projects, Bishop applies the same philosophy to her personal style.
“I’m not afraid to take risks,” Bishop says. “I’ve learned that if you follow your gut, you’re usually following your gift, too, so just go with it.”
This fearless approach shows up in both her design work and her wardrobe choices. Whether she’s collaborating with architects on custom residential builds or selecting pieces from Hampden’s latest collection, Bishop gravitates toward items that tell a story and reflect personality.
Her design studio’s motto-“New build or styling, residential or commercial, collected or modern… let’s talk!”-could easily apply to fashion. Both require the same trained eye for mixing old favorites with new treasures, creating spaces and looks that feel instantly welcoming and authentically personal.
When she’s not transforming homes across Charleston and beyond, you can find Bishop on Sullivan’s Island with her family, where her love for coastal living influences both her design aesthetic and effortless island style.
ARCHITECT SPOTLIGHT – Style Meets Function
Architect Leslie Norton approaches both fashion – and design with the same philosophy:
creating spaces and looks that feel joyful, approachable and deeply personal. Her signature style blends comfort with personality-think joggers and linen for family time, bold patterned pants and colorful dresses for client meetings, always topped with statement earrings.
“My personal style is fun, comfortable and a little playful,” she says. “I love jewel tones and blues, and I gravitate toward pieces that make me feel confident while still being easy to wear.”
Her go-to piece? A Farm Rio dress that celebrates nature, color and culture in a way that mirrors her architectural philosophy. “It feels very ‘me,” she explains. “I love how it’s joyful, inclusive and sustainable- that philosophy mirrors the way I like to design spaces.”
This connection between fashion and architecture runs deeper than surface aesthetics. Both are grounded in materiality, color, texture and proportion, she notes. “Fashion and design are both about self-expression, storytelling and creating a feeling. Just like an outfit can change your mood or give you confidence, a well-designed space can shape how you live and interact with others.”
Her love of color and playful details shows up consistently in her residential projects, whether through bold accent choices or subtle textural layers that bring spaces to life. Like a well-tailored garment, each architectural design is meant to make homeowners feel perfectly at home in their own skin.
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT – Breaking Rules Creating Joy
Interior designer Ruth Campbell approaches both fashion and design with the same fearless
philosophy: take risks and break the rules.
“My personal style is unique, whimsical and fun,” Campbell says. “I’m not afraid to take risks and wear things that are unexpected and funky. This is a practice that I constantly use in my work.”
Her bold approach extends into client relationships, where she studies wardrobes as a starting point for design decisions. “Do they wear bright colors, patterns? Neutrals, all black? Do they wear a lot of accessories and jewelry?” she asks. “If someone is always wearing neutral colors and simple jewelry, they are likely inclined to be most comfortable in a home with layers of neutral pieces.”
Campbell believes fashion and interior design are deeply interconnected, influencing each other through color trends, textures, silhouettes and storytelling. “Fashion walks the runway; design lives in a room. But both speak the same language of taste, culture and individuality,” she explains.
“I personally love strong, saturated colors because I believe they evoke warmth and energy,” she says. “This shines through in my design work by blending bold, vibrant colors with intricate patterns and textures.”
She consistently encourages both fashion and design risks. “I truly believe that your home should spark joy and often that joy is found in unexpected ways by breaking the rules,” she says. “By all means, wear white after Labor Day and put the modern lacquered table with your grandmother’s traditional Chippendale chairs. Take risks!”
Her home office embodies this philosophy-blending mustard yellow geometric rugs with deep blue floral settees—a space where comfort meets creativity.
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT – Harmony Between Nature and Design
Textile and wallpaper designer Rebecca Atwood brings the same attention to detail she applies
to her design work to her personal wardrobe-where craftsmanship, comfort and classic style intersect.
“I love well-made pieces. I love color, but also a classic piece. I need comfort,” Atwood explains. “But if I’m putting more thought into an outfit, I like a bit of tension.”
Life changes-motherhood, the pandemic, and a cross-country move from Brooklyn to Charleston-have prompted her to reassess her wardrobe for how her life looks now. In the studio, she keeps it practical: jeans and a T-shirt or button-up. But when selecting wardrobe essentials, quality and construction matter deeply.
Her favorite shirts are from E.M. Reitz. “I find that I feel put together when I slip one on, and the fabrics are really beautiful,” she says. “Textiles matter to me. How a piece is made matters to me. Some of my favorite shirts she’s made, the fabric feels silky and light-it just makes me feel like I’m taking care of myself with the comfort and structure coming together.”
This attention to how textiles feel and how they’re constructed directly connects to her design philosophy. Atwood believes fashion and interior design influence each other through the same elements: color, texture and the stories they tell about who we are.
Since moving to Charleston, Hampton Park has become her creative muse, inspiring her Hampton Park mural collection. Her new book, “The Harmonious Home,” reflects her integrated approach to fashion and design-both become expressions of finding harmony between comfort and structure, between the exterior world and the interior self.
By Angel Holmes