We were lucky to catch up with Cori Lowe recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cori, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Fashion has always been a powerful form of self-expression, but I found myself frustrated by the lack of versatility in the industry. Everything seemed to fall into one of two extremes, too sexy or too modest, with no middle ground. I wanted styles that could adapt to different settings and occasions without forcing women to choose between revealing or conservative.

I’ve always loved bold, statement-making fashion, and for years, my wardrobe reflected that. But as I transitioned into different environments, whether it was the workplace, family gatherings, or social events, I realized many of my favorite pieces didn’t fit the moment. They were either too revealing for everyday wear or too conservative to feel fun and exciting.

That’s when the idea for Cori Michelle was born. I knew there had to be a way to design pieces that gave women complete control over how much skin to show without sacrificing style. My solution? Multi-functional designs that allow you to be sexy when you want and modest when you need, ensuring your wardrobe works for more than just one occasion.

– The XO Cami comes with select dresses and tops, giving you an extra layer of coverage when needed and the option to go bold when you don’t.
– Buttoned waist-to-hem details let you adjust your leg exposure, making skirts and dresses wearable across multiple occasions.
– Convertible, thoughtfully designed pieces breathe new life into your modest wardrobe and make your sexy outfits more versatile.

But my passion for versatile fashion didn’t stop at clothing, I wanted to bring the same functionality and bold self-expression into activewear. That’s where COR by Cori Michelle was born.

As someone who loves an active lifestyle, I saw the same problem in fitness wear, many styles were either hyper-functional but plain or stylish but lacked performance. I wanted to create activewear that blended bold, standout designs with high-performance fabrics.

– Statement-making prints & bold colors make COR pieces perfect for the gym, running errands, or streetwear-inspired athleisure.
– High-performance fabrics ensure breathability, sweat-wicking comfort, and a second-skin feel.
– Supportive & functional designs feature high-waisted leggings, full-support sports bras, and built-in pockets to fit seamlessly into your active lifestyle.
– Versatile styling makes it easy to transition from workout to everyday wear, so you always feel strong and confident.

I knew this idea would work because I was solving a problem that so many women experience daily, feeling like their wardrobe was divided into two categories: sexy and conservative, workout-ready and fashion-forward, with no overlap. My designs eliminate that gap, creating versatile, adaptable fashion that works for YOU.

What excites me most about my brand is seeing women feel empowered, confident, and in control of their own style, whether they’re stepping out in a stunning dress or crushing a workout in bold, high-performance activewear.

With Cori Michelle and COR, you no longer have to compromise. You can wear what you love, how you love it, and when you want—because fashion should be as versatile as you are.

And that’s what fashion should be all about.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not have heard of me before… Hi, I’m Cori Michelle, the founder and creative director behind Cori Michelle and COR, a women’s clothing and athletic wear brand designed to give you control over your style and empower you to live life in color.

I’ve always had a deep love for fashion, even growing up in Wyoming, where style and trends weren’t always a top priority. Despite that, I never shied away from bold prints, flowy fabrics, and expressive outfits that made a statement. But as I got older, I started noticing a gap in the fashion industry, everything was either too sexy or too modest, with no in-between.

I wanted clothing that worked for both sides of my life… the confident, sexy version of me and the polished, professional version of me. Instead of choosing between the two, I set out to design clothing that could do both.

At Cori Michelle, I create fashion-forward women’s clothing with versatile designs that allow you to choose how much skin to show—giving your modest styles new life and making your sexy pieces wearable beyond just nightlife.

My collections include dresses, skirts, tops, pants, jumpsuits, and activewear, but what truly sets us apart is the functionality built into every design:

– Multi-piece styling: Some of our styles come with interchangeable pieces so you can adjust coverage based on your occasion.
– Signature XO cami: My dresses and tops come with a built-in cami, allowing you to wear them in three different ways.
– Adjustable slits: My skirts and dresses have buttoned waist-to-hem designs, letting you decide how much leg to show.
– Thoughtful fabrics & prints: I hand-select luxuriously soft, wrinkle-resistant fabrics and unique prints designed to flatter every skin tone.
– Functionality without compromise: I believe clothing should be as practical as it is beautiful, which is why my pieces feature pockets whenever possible, easy zipper placements, and comfort-driven details.

In addition to everyday fashion, I launched COR by Cori Michelle, an athletic wear line designed for women who love to move without sacrificing style.

– Statement-making prints & bold colors: Because activewear should be just as expressive as your wardrobe.
– High-performance fabrics: Breathable, moisture-wicking materials that move with you.
– Supportive & functional designs: High-waisted leggings, built-in pockets, full-support sports bras, and stylish fits designed for yoga, running, gym sessions, and everyday wear.
– Versatile styling: Wear them to work out or as chic athleisure. COR is made to blend seamlessly into your lifestyle.

I’m most proud of creating a brand that helps women feel confident, comfortable, and in control of their own style. Hearing from customers who love that they can now wear their favorite pieces in multiple ways, without feeling restricted by traditional fashion norms, reminds me why I started this journey.

Beyond that, Cori Michelle is more than just a brand… it’s a movement. It’s about giving women the freedom to choose how they show up in the world, whether that’s through a dress that transitions seamlessly from modest to bold or activewear that performs as strong as it looks. With both Cori Michelle Boutique and COR Activewear, I’m proud to create designs that adapt to you, rather than making you adjust to them.

If there’s one thing I want you to take away, it’s that fashion should work for you, not the other way around. You shouldn’t have to pick between sexy and sophisticated, modest and bold. Whether you’re dressing up, working out, or just running errands, you should have pieces that make you feel strong, confident, and stylish.

That’s why I started this brand, and that’s what keeps me inspired every day.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Starting Cori Michelle wasn’t just a dream, it was something I had been saving and planning for years. I knew that launching a fashion brand with a unique concept would require not just creativity and passion, but also the right financial foundation to bring it to life.

For about five years, I diligently saved up to fund my vision, making intentional sacrifices along the way. I wanted to be sure that when the time came, I could invest in high-quality materials, thoughtful designs, and a brand that truly reflected my mission.

To give my brand an extra push, I also launched an Indiegogo campaign, inviting supporters to be part of the journey. Seeing people believe in my vision and back my brand reinforced that I wasn’t just creating clothes, I was solving a problem that resonated with so many women.

The combination of years of saving and crowdfunding support allowed me to launch Cori Michelle with a strong foundation, ensuring that I could focus on designing pieces that empower women without compromising on quality.

Every decision, every fabric choice, every design detail, has been made with care and intention because this isn’t just a business; it’s the realization of a long-term dream that I worked hard to fund and bring to life.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for Cori Michelle has undoubtedly been social media marketing. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have allowed me to connect directly with my audience, showcase my designs, and build a community of women who love versatile fashion.

Through organic content, influencer collaborations, and paid advertising, I’ve been able to reach women who are looking for fashion that adapts to their lifestyle, whether it’s my boutique pieces, versatile clothing line, or bold activewear. Social media not only helps drive sales, but it also allows me to engage with my customers in real time, listen to their feedback, and continuously evolve my brand to meet their needs. It’s more than just a marketing tool, it’s been the foundation for growing Cori Michelle into a brand that truly connects with women.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://corimichelle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corimichellexo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corimichellexo

Image Credits

Shelby Meinzer shot Cori Michelle photoshoot
Umit Atamer shot COR photoshoot