Hodo Musa

Who is Hodo Musa?

We all want to know where our idols found their passion!

Hodo is a 39-year-old Somali fashion stylist based in Los Angeles. Known for her genderless, eye-catching outfits, this stylist is one to watch out for.

A little backstory about her: Hodo developed an interest in clothing from a very young age. Growing up in a ghetto, she would constantly dress up her younger siblings. However, her journey to pursue her passion was not without challenges. Hodo and her family had to flee their country during the civil war and ended up in Malmö, Sweden.

With a deep desire to work in a clothing store, Hodo faced a setback. At the time, Malmö was highly segregated, and the job she wanted was only available to Swedish girls with blonde hair. Instead, she was left with limited options like McDonald's or Burger King, which were not aligned with her aspirations.

In her early 20s, Hodo decided to move to London to pursue her dream of working with clothing and becoming the most fabulous version of herself. She landed one of her first jobs at United Colors of Benetton and later gained experience in merchandising and styling at Zara. It was during this time that she discovered her true passion for styling.

While Hodo briefly pursued a career in modeling, working with talented designers and stylists, she felt that her calling was to work with clothing rather than model herself.

Her Mission

This career choice faced opposition, both from her hometown of Malmö and from the Somali culture, where it was considered a stigma. Despite the challenges, moving away from her hometown turned out to be the best decision she could have made for her dream.

Hodo's career took off when she began styling Astrid S, a Norwegian singer, and later, at the age of 39, she started styling Lil Nas X in May 2020.

In an interview with i-D Vice, Hodo shared her unique perspective: 

"My references are different. I am from Somalia. I was raised in Sweden. I have the maximalist style with the minimal."

 Having been educated in Scandinavia, she has a foot in both camps and maintains an immigrant mindset. She knows how to navigate different environments and is unafraid to take risks. Her work reflects her confidence and determination to her craft and has allowed her to break through barriers and open doors for herself.

Hodo Musa is truly an inspiring figure who encourages others to be strong, resist pressures, and keep pushing forward. She shows us that with determination and a unique perspective, we can overcome obstacles and achieve our dreams.