Street-Style: Belly Dancer Joli Castor Spotted in John Fluevog Heels

Details matter in fashion. At Broadway and Ellsworth, we spotted Joli Castor, an Art Institute high school representative and world fusion belly dancer with Bale Fire, wearing a pair of mint-green leather platform heels. "Fashion is an expression of who we are on the inside at any given moment in time. Dress for the person you are," she says. "I like classic styles with a bit of unique flair. It's the mix, not the match. Dress for your body and fit. My style is classic, contemporary and confident. I do have fun with fashion. I don't take myself too seriously, but I try to dress appropriate for the situation I'm going into." 
Castor's shoes are by John Fluevog, who started selling footwear in 1970 in Vancouver; she picked them up at the Fluevog boutique in Larimer Square.  "I love Fluevog's shoes," Castor says. "I am on my feet a lot as a high school representative for the Art Institute, so these keep me comfortable without sacrificing style. Other shoe brands I love are Michael Kors, Naya, Born, Arturo Chiang, Vince Camuto. For clothes, I shop at boutiques in Aspen Groove and Larimer Square. I’m pretty eclectic with designers. I like Michael Kors, Sympli, Joseph Rybkoff, INC International from Macy’s, White House Black Market, XCVI, Prairie Underground, Kismet. I would rather find a great piece in a boutique like Rosie’s by Diane or Blush than a huge store at the mall — although I mix these pieces in with items from department stores. And never rule out TJ Maxx. I love any designer who designs for curvy women."  
"I wear a lot of black, I always have," Castor adds. "Perhaps it’s the East Coaster in me, but it’s always been my go-to color. I usually pop it with a metallic or animal-print accessory or a color."  We noticed the zebra-printed cardigan under her black leather White House Black Market jacket, as well as her hardware-heavy purse. "Metal makes me happy: grommets, buckles, metal details of any kind," she says.   
Castor even designed the necklace and earrings that match her turquoise-colored shoes. "I've always gone for clean lines, not a lot of fuss," she says. "But I usually have a signature piece that pops. Today, it’s my shoes. Sometimes it’s a great necklace or a Victoria Emerson bracelet. I make a lot of my own jewelry: necklaces and earrings." 

As for her style mantra: "My motto has always been dress the body you have right now. Women tend to go up and down in sizes. Don’t worry about trends as much as creating your own unique style. In fact, my style icon has always been Yves St. Laurent, as he was an architect of the female form. I also love the classics like Chanel and Dior. And don’t laugh, but the late Joan Rivers always impressed me with her impeccable style," Castor concludes. 

Always dress classic with a unique edge, Denver. 

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