We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Kansas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, why did you pursue a creative career?
This is always a question I ask myself. The only answer I can ever come up with is that it chose me. I often times think how my life would be if I took a more “conventional” approach to life… but then I remember how amazing it is to love what you do and it all happened naturally. A lot of hard work but the creative career chose me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey started in high school… I found out what a DJ was and became obsessed with all things dance music.

From the rave culture of the late 90s my career was born. Dressing up and dancing was a hobby that became my side job.. then my main job and eventually a career of all things costumes and performing in nightlife and festivals.

In the beginning not many people really understood what I was doing with my life. A career in nightlife wasn’t look at as something respectable. But I kept going knowing it was what made me happy and I liked doing what is fun, exciting and creative.

In 2004 I started my first costume business with an online store, local fashion shows and entertainment. In 2006 I created a “How to be a Go GO Dancer” DVD that helped sparked the current movement of go-go dancing in America and later went on to be a coach on MTV Made for a young girl wanting to be a go-go dancer. . In 2007 I moved to NYC to cultivate my fashion and networking skills and by 2008 I had started producing entertainment for festivals. In 2011 I was contacted by Ultra to run the entertainment for the festival in Miami and in 2012 I created the Ultra Angels who became an important part of the international festival. We toured the world as one of the top international dance troupes until 2020.

In 2020 life changed and I took what I had learned from the past 20 years and have opened a physical costume shop in Downtown Miami “The Costume Shop” by Altered Egos. This is the first physical store I have opened and a new venture that allows me to connect to closely with the local community. I lived such a global life its refreshing to building locally.

From balancing school and night work, to traveling the world with an international music festival to know learning about being in one spot daily has taught me so much about how to balance work/play while being a smart business woman and planning for the future.

There is so much to be said about the life of a traveling creative as it is the most rewarding and exhausting lifestyle. There is also something to be said about the creative who stays local and cultivates the community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
How about we do a day! A week is wayyyy to much to talk about

Would start off with a nice beach boardwalk ride to soak in the ocean and the sun.

Take a quick stop for a juice or acai bowl at a Miami Beach South of 5th staple Pura Vida

After enjoying the beach and soaking up some rays its time to head over to the Miami side!

Frist stop is straight to the Design District to shop and explore all the amazing architecture.

Walk up 2nd avenue to have lunch at Madolin! The perfect outdoor spot for amazing food and a nice sangria.

Take a quick drive down to Wynwood to explore the art and shopping! So many place for a quick snack or drink like the Miami Mojito Tiki bar

After a quick shower its time to explore some more! Sunset is a great time in Miami. The Standard Hotel is a classic spot to have a refreshing drink and watch the sun set over the city skyline.

At this point you have two options… stay beach side or head back over to Miami… luckily the Standard is close to everything!

Because I am such a fan of the Miami side I would head downtown at a local spot like Margot Wine Bar and then dinner at one of my favorite foodie spots like Arson or even head up to Bioa De!

But another great option would be to head up to 27 Restaurant for a nice foodie dinner and then over to the Living Room in the Faena for a night cap

And if you so dare you of course dance the night to day away at Club Space …….

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people I could shout out…

My Mother for allowing me to be creative and always standing by me.
My grand fathers for passing down the drive to be successful.
My Ultra Music Festival family for allowing me to spread my wings and travel the world doing what I love.
My now my partner in The Costume Shop, Yasmin Colman P for always showing up and giving 110% since day one!

Website: alteredegos.co

Instagram: @katiekansas @_alteredegos

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekansas/

Twitter: @katiekansas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Altered.EgosMiami

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-costume-shop-miami-2

Other: https://g.page/r/CaY8QG3gsxssEAE

Image Credits
@dub3ra @artmiamifitness @peterlealphotography @ultra

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.