Fashion Writer Joce Blake's Top 10 Summer Favorites
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
‘Just a girl from Memphis, tryna be the next Oprah’. Joce equals Fashion loving, hot Cheeto eating, stiletto wearing, iPhone having, Beetle driving, creative soul. She has always been intrigued by pushing her culture forward and believes her unique voice and ability to connect with people through her writing sets her apart from others. During the day she is the Communications, Business Develpment and Community Relations Manager at the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence at CU Anschutz. After 5 pm, she manifests her dreams as a Fashion Writer for xoNecole.com, 5280 Magazine and Cherry Creek and Boulder Lifestyle Magazines, to name a few. Joce also serves on the Parson’s Advisory Panel and recently became a founding member of The Clayton Members Club & Hotel. Above all, Joce has dedicated her life to showcasing the magic that is the Black woman. In this issue, Joce shares her top ten favorites for the summer season and beyond.
1. Summer Fashion Item: Puffed Sleeves are my favorite thing right now. I love dramatic style choices and the structure of puffed sleeves gives just that!
2. Clothing Boutique: As a curvy girl, it is hard to shop at boutiques in Denver. There are some amazing Denver designers like Rachel Marie Hurst and C.R. Lee that make beautiful clothes for women who have curves. @c.r.leee // @rachelmariehurstrmh
3. Bar: Le French’s happy hour is heaven-sent. I am pretty sure I died and went to heaven when I had their strawberry crepe for the first time. It’s also the chicest space. So much so that you may feel like you teleported to Paris. @lefrenchdenver
4. Restaurant/Cafe: Mimosas on Welton Street has the key to my heart. From the beignets to the shrimp and grits to the Dj who creates the best vibes, this Black-owned restaurant reminds me of my southern roots in the best ways. @mimosasdenver
5. Music Band: The Grand Alliance is made up of three amazing Black creatives: Kayla Marque, Sur Ellz, and Crl Crrll. Their sound is out of this world; it makes me happy to so much amazingness in one group. Favorite song: Boogie Man @legrandalliance
6. Book/Magazine: NWA Magazine is a Denver-based Fashion and Beauty publication that serves as a high-fashion platform for Black models and creatives. With the goal of inclusion, NWA minds the gap of representation of Black models in the local fashion industry. @nwa_magazine
7. Website: Dope Mom Life Creative Content Agency helps organizations connect with underrepresented minority communities via video and digital content creation, strategy, and management. http://dopemomlife.com/
8. Movie / TV Series: I am currently obsessing over the newest season of Handmaid’s Tale. June is always up to something and she keeps me on the edge of my seat.
9. Instagram Follow: @blackindenver is a portrait & interview series created by @narkitagold, This ethnography shows the many faces and stories of the Black community proving that we are not a monolith. The series is also on display at MCA Denver until August 22nd.
10. Beauty Product: Black-Owned Beauty Brand, Estelle Lux, has the best matte lipstick shades. The Mocha shade is my fave! Founder, Lucretia Estelle, is located right here in Denver. She created a collection based on her love for a bold lip so anything from Estelle Lux is a major win! @estelleluxcollection
Joce Blake: @joce_blake
Photographer: @estherleeleach