LEARN ABOUT ISRAEL

As a legacy, deep storytelling, founder driven Fashion House, we admire making strong connections with our customers and audience.

Instead of just us as a fashion house itself, we direct you to dig deeper and learn about the person who started it all.

So we think it's important if you know more about our founder and first ever creative director for this brand, Israel McCorkle.

Ask us about founder

Search our frequently asked questions about Israel McCorkle

Who is Israel McCorkle?

Israel McCorkle is an American Fashion Designer, Actor, filmmaker, Retail Entrepreneur and Businessman, Published Author, and founder of multiple companies and operations. He began to have a strong interest in fashion at 15 from when he first attempted to build a clothing brand for a school project in his entrepreneurship class, to him designing and selling his own women's handbags to start his name brand label later on in his high school years.

Having major skills in literature, He self-published his very first book at the age of sixteen years old. Including him working in the Fashion industry, film, commercials and television, McCorkle is always dedicated to Produce independent Award-winning films as a Filmmaker, He started writing books throughout high school.

Alongside of him writing books, he also creates garments, with a publicly showcased incredible fashion portfolio, does poetry and is an Artist that draws, paints, and constructs all different types of art. All his other operations he owns, including his fashion company are under the McCorkle Group, a Conglomerate he privately founded at 18.

Where is he from?

Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

How old is he?

Born September 17th, 2007.

Who were his biggest influences?

He was Inspired by the other black designers Virgil Abloh, Telfar Clemens, as well as Kayne West, The Kardashians, Idris Damson, and many other actors and entrepreneurs.

As a Fashion Designer, does he know how to sew?

Yes. Israel McCorkle knows how to sew and create garments, also mentioning his massive publicly displayed portfolio with several valuable pieces and designs of work in his career.

He bought himself a sewing machine and started practicing just from his bedroom.

When did he start his Fashion Brand?

In 2024, He founded McCorklen and became the first Creative Director of his Fashion Brand at 17 years old in high school.

How talented is Israel McCorkle?

Impressive skills in fashion/creative direction, literature and storytelling in both terms of writing and visual. Book writer and released first published book at 16 years old. Also known for being amazing at Poetry, all types of Design, Drawing, Painting, Technology and Ecommerce Marketing.

What other businesses did he start before McCorklen?

Israel McCorkle attempted and tried out several times to start a business and establish different business models and plans throughout his early years of high school by learning about business, programing, marketing skills, coding and visually designing games, and creating software's. +3 years of experience in entrepreneurship and business before the age of 18.

Former Startup Businesses and Idea's:

Unalix | Planet and Solar System Search Browser and Software (2022 - 2023)

Polarknox | Clothing Apparel Brand (2023)

KindleWeb | Social Media Marketing Agency and App (2024)

Polarknox University | Online School and Education Program (2024)

When and Where did he go to school?

He went to Pebblebrook High school, and transferred to Lithia Springs High school at the start of his junior year. In high school from 2022 - 2026.

Did he have mentors or role models who guided him?

Besides his entrepreneurship class teachers, overall he is self driven and mainly known for his major independence and self-taught journey, learning several skills at a fast pace on his own. Before he even went into his last year of high school, he already had several skills and experience.

Also he communicated and talked with other Fashion Designers and creative people within the industry and got recommendations from them, rather than 100% being under someone else's wing.

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MAIN QUESTIONS

Who is Israel McCorkle?

Israel McCorkle is an American Fashion Designer, Actor, filmmaker, Retail Entrepreneur and Businessman, Published Author, and founder of multiple companies and operations. He began to have a strong interest in fashion at 15 from when he first attempted to build a clothing brand for a school project in his entrepreneurship class, to him designing and selling his own women's handbags to start his name brand label later on in his high school years.

Having major skills in literature, He self-published his very first book at the age of sixteen years old. Including him working in the Fashion industry, film, commercials and television, McCorkle is always dedicated to Produce independent Award-winning films as a Filmmaker, He started writing books throughout high school.

Alongside of him writing books, he also creates garments, with a publicly showcased incredible fashion portfolio, does poetry and is an Artist that draws, paints, and constructs all different types of art. All his other operations he owns, including his fashion company are under the McCorkle Group, a Conglomerate he privately founded at 18.

When did he began his journey and career?

Before founding his namesake Fashion Brand later on in his teenage years, he started on YouTube at 14 years old and self published his very first book at 16 as an author.

When did he start McCorklen? 

In 2024, He founded McCorklen and became the first Creative Director of his Fashion Brand at 17 years old in high school.

Where is he from?

Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

When was he born?

September 17th, 2007

When and Where did he go to school?

He went to Pebblebrook High school, and transferred to Lithia Springs High school at the start of his junior year. In high school from 2022 - 2026.

What was his passion before fashion?

Modeling, Writing and publishing books. Starting off as just a YouTuber and Social Media Influencer

Early Life & Background

What shaped his mindset growing up moving state to state?

His mindset shaped by having both parents in his life and a great childhood with happiness, allowing him to grow into who he wanted to be. Being around black culture, but also being around all different color people and kids his age in every environment.

For ever state he lived in, there's every different great memories and experiences he had. Israel McCorkle didn't grow up in just one state, with his mom, he grew up traveling on the road.

Childhood of a rolling stone.

How did his teenage years influence his career choice and creativity?

He was into other clothing brands and explored the internet by viewing peoples work. Also by talking to other creative people around him in high school and learning about different business owners and was quickly inspired to become an entrepreneur and build something of his own.

What early experiences pushed him toward entrepreneurship?

Around his first year of high school at Pebblebrook when he first started to attend entrepreneur class, with it eventually turning into a 3 year experience. He was dedicated to the whole pathway.

Being in all the classes, he learned how to start, manage, and build a business from the ground up, by also selling in school pop up shop events.

Who were his biggest influences?

He was Inspired by the other black designers Virgil Abloh, Telfar Clemens, as well as Kayne West, The Kardashians, Idris Damson, and many other actors and entrepreneurs, with his first inspiration being Daymond John.

What challenges did he overcome in his early years?

In his early years of high school, he had problems with self doubt, loneliness from lack of friends, insecure about his looks and tried everything he could to improve his appearance, getting rejected and friend zoned multiple times.

Education & Personal Development

What was his first ever job?

Starting at 15 years old, He worked a part-time Job at Publix Super Market on the weekends, which made him open up more as an individual, communicate, take more responsibility, respect his elders, and get rid of his shyness, leading him down the line to getting more friends and met his first girlfriend.

From Israel McCorkle - "Publix changed my life.

Without me growing up working in such an amazing work environment, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Even when I continue to move onto bigger and better things in life, I'll always still have love for the company.

Thank you for everything"

What skills did he begin developing during school? 

Entrepreneurship, Business management, learning more about technology by programing and coding, making games, websites, and software's. from scratch.

Did he have mentors or role models who guided him?

Besides his entrepreneurship class teachers, overall he is self driven and mainly known for his major independence and self-taught journey, learning several skills at a fast pace on his own. Before he even went into his last year of high school, he already had several skills and experience.

Also he communicated and talked with other Fashion Designers and creative people within the industry and got recommendations from them, rather than 100% being under someone else's wing.

What subjects or activities did he naturally excel in?

The subject ELA, being naturally talented at writing. Also in Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Film.

Talent, Skills & Creative Ability

Does he have any knowledge in sewing?

Yes. Israel McCorkle knows how to sew and create garments, also mentioning his massive publicly displayed portfolio with several valuable pieces and designs of work in his career.

He bought himself a sewing machine and started practicing just from his bedroom.

How does he combine fashion, business, and creative direction? 

Israel McCorkle combines fashion, business, and creative direction by treating a fashion brand as both a creative expression and a premium strategic company, promoting not just high fashion, black culture, and building a legacy, but by spreading world peace, joy, happiness by welcoming all identities and sexualities. With part of there tagline saying "Be who You wanna be."

Through the development of McCorklen, he focuses on designing products that communicate a clear identity while also building a recognizable brand in the marketplace. His fashion work reflects a curated aesthetic and storytelling approach, where elements such as option of letting buyers choice there own style that fits them, brand imagery, and personal customer experience strategies together to create a well structured fashion house. This creative direction helps the brand stand out while giving consumers a clear understanding of its style and values.

At the same time, McCorkle approaches fashion with an CEO mindset. He manages the business side by building the brand such as trademarks, branding strategy, and online retail, while directing how the brand is marketed and positioned. By combining creative vision with business strategy, he ensures that design decisions also support growth, brand recognition, and long-term sustainability.

What separates him from other fashion designers?

Israel McCorkle stands out from many fashion designers because he combines storytelling, creativity, and entrepreneurship in his work. His brand, McCorklen, is built around the concept “Story of a boy,” which represents his personal journey, growth, and identity. Instead of focusing only on fashion trends, his designs are meant to express deeper meaning and personal experiences.

He is also different because he works across multiple creative fields, including art, writing, film, and acting, with also founding a Fashion, Film, and Art Holding Company. Along with this creativity, McCorkle started his brand at a young age around 17 and focuses on building a long-lasting fashion house and legacy, rather than just a short-term clothing brand.

How does he approach design differently from traditional brands?

Israel McCorkle approaches design differently from many traditional fashion brands because he focuses more on pinpointing the exact start and clear story and visual details of the legacy he's built in his teenage years, storytelling, and personal meaning rather than only following trends or seasonal collections. His designs are influenced by his life experiences, which represents growth, identity, and creativity.

He also blends different creative fields like art, writing, and media into his design process. While many traditional brands separate fashion from other forms of creativity, McCorkle uses his drawings, ideas, and storytelling to inspire the look and message of his products, making the designs feel more personal and artistic.

Business Origin Story

How did he start his fashion house?

Independently learned about ecommerce and retail, built a large professionally made fashion brand website by himself. Worked every weekend at his part-time Job to save up money and taking things step by step, investing in business supplies and resources one by one, while managing both his fashion house and business founder personal brand image.

What was the first product he ever created?

The Leopard Print Blue Denim Jean Pill Bag, which first Handbag originated from denim.

In highschool Israel McCorkle created a type of woman's handbag that he named the "Pill Bag", it features a wide oval capsule shape. The handbag was originally created under his Fashion House "McCorklen." He always mentioned the idea of bringing back and remastering the style of the 70s and decades that's farther back.

How did he start McCorklen with limited resources?

He started by using what he had at first, and what was currently only available for him at the moment, he utilized the little things he had to get what he needed, by constantly not just building a business, but by using everything he had down to as much as he could.

He started off right from his bedroom using an old laptop that was separate from his personal device and a few other devices he had to manage his business with and secure important files on.

What was the biggest risk he took at the beginning?

Dug out his savings and invested so much to get his first products made, get business registered and get a trademark to claim his recognizable classic logo. He believed in himself and knew there was always a risk he had to take in order to start.