Is it possible to change an item's texture without changing it's model?

I would like to know if this is even possible, as I have been searching for a way to do this both in MCreator and outside of mcreator, and I have had no luck so far.  I want to do this without using additional models because I would like layered textures (like tinker's construct/ tetra).  I don't need to know exactly how to do it, I just want to know if it is possible without overriding how Minecraft renders items.  I want to know if it is even possible so I don't waste my time trying to do something impossible or incredibly hard to do.  I know I posted a similar topic recently but I hope that this is separate enough from it(asking if something similar to what I want is even possible, instead of asking for a full explanation of exactly what I am trying to achieve).