Today we’d like to introduce you to Alaska Mangialetto.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began my journey as an artist in 2011 when I launched my blog Jacked Fashion. I would interview other creatives in the Miami art scene back when Wynwood was only one block. I also worked as a fashion stylist, collaborating with local photographers and agencies. In 2013, I became restless as there was not much wardrobe available in Miami that fit my vision for shoots. It was nothing like it is today. This moved me to go to the local JoAnn’s (RIP!) and design my first clothing collection Urban Fantasy by Jacked Fashion, which featured playful garments that merged vintage patterns with modern iridescent fabrics. I produced a series of work in Miami that caught the attention of the west coast, some emerging artists, and magazines I’d long admired. From that point, I felt the need to expand and find my people. I flew out to Los Angeles and found myself immersed in a community of like-minded creatives that I built very meaningful friendships with. Miami, being what felt like a small town at the time, required me to go out of my comfort zone to manifest a better reality for my work.
When Art Basel rolled around in 2014, I had the idea to invite my friends from Los Angeles to stay at our family’s home in Miami for art week. I hosted an event at a hotel on Miami Beach for everyone to showcase their work. We all stayed in the Mangialetto family home (shout out FJ!), bounced in a bouncy castle, created friendship bracelets, collaborated on ideas, painted, did photoshoots and explored the city together. That is how Art Camp was born. Over the following years, I continued creating with my brand Jacked Fashion, while also working as an event producer for Art Camp and other productions. These were fully immersive art events for adults. The 2010s were a quest for community. All of this came to a halt in 2020 when Covid hit.
Over the past few years in Miami, I’ve been focusing on developing new ideas and designs, as well as transitioning my retail brand from Jacked Fashion to Art Camp.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a wild road. Being an artist is a voyage, it is not linear or easy. It requires constant awareness and forward movement. You have to be flexible and able to pivot often. There are highs and lows, there is doubt and sadness. Moments when you feel absolutely insane and isolated. It took me quite a few years before I felt confident enough to even call myself an artist. I now see that I was being too hard on myself. Creatives are givers; we want to pour into people’s lives and culture, to find the commonality we all share, the humanity. There’s an immeasurable connection to source when things align. It is a practice of constantly pushing one’s limits. A ritual of patience, surrender, and introspection. It’s exhausting, particularly in the times we’re living in, but always worth it.
Covid was a challenging and introspective time, and I realized that I didn’t want to let go of what I had initially envisioned for Art Camp just because the event series had run its course. This was my chance, now older and wiser, to revitalize it. It felt like the perfect representation for my work and the next step in this journey. It meant so much to me when it was created in my family’s home in 2014, before things got Carrie Bradshawed away. It was simple then, and the answer seemed simple now. So I made the official jump from Jacked Fashion to Art Camp, rebranding my retail business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve worked as a fashion stylist, designer, and event producer. I also love photography and painting. My current focus is curating unique and colorful wardrobe pieces for my online retail business Art Camp. I am most proud of my ability to push new ideas forward, especially being an artist from Florida.
As of 2025, I’ve relaunched my website featuring my jewelry designs, vintage, artwear and more. I’ve also introduced a 2ndHand collection, showcasing preloved statement jewelry and clothing. I focus on finding unique pieces that embody maximalism and personal style.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I want to shout out my sister Nicole Mangialetto (aka Dabbed Kitty), who nominated me for this piece. Thank you for always having my back, love you to the moon. 305 forever <3
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artcamp.store
- Instagram: @shopartcamp
Image Credits
Portrait of Alaska Mangialetto by Eric Seralena.
All other images © Alaska Mangialetto / Art Camp®
