Meet Hoza Rodriguez | Designer/creative director

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

Hi Hoza, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The goal was to dress people around the world who simply want to feel & look good. Take ordinary garments and turn them completely upside-down, transforming them into new & innovative designs. I wanted to elevate everyday looks, all without breaking people’s budgets or spending a ton.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m proud of my journey, I accept every mistake and every mishap because it taught me so much. I never stopped learning through this process and still to this day I make sure to do better and be better. I don’t mind it anymore because from those things I have made my dreams come true and I’ve made a name for myself and my brand.

Doing this takes a lot of guts, you being able to be your own boss is so hard cuz the discipline and the rules are made up from you. You must follow and set yourself up for success. If you mess up then it’s your fault. That’s not an easy pill to swallow. Especially when things go really bad u have to clean up the mess and figure it out and no time to sit n cry. It’s business, it’s work. Responsibility is a huge part in being an entrepreneur/small business.

I want people to know that you can do it too. I come from a divorce family in the hood. I grew up with no money. Just a lot of ideas. I don’t think I thought of my ideas as dreams back Then. I looked at them more like things I wanted to do and wanted to see either tangible or visually for myself. As time went by and a lot of obstacles arised with either money or the way I looked being Latino and people not being as helpful or believing in me then things changed. I wanted to do things to prove people wrong that people like me are just as capable people from my background are visionaries & you need us. So I think that’s when I thought of my ideas as dreams and goals cuz I wanted to make them come true so bad to prove to myself and the world I have something special.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my friend to DTLA and visit my shop PLANETA where we sell revamped upcycled unique Fashion items. That me and friend Richie design and own.

Then I would take us down a few blocks and go eat yummy medican food at SONORA TOWN which everything is amazing but my fav are chicken Chivis.

After we grub we need a little break to walk off the food I would head to this cute spot “cognoscenti coffe” and grab a coffee and chat for a bit.

Then I would go to slauson swapmeet in LA & u can find so many gems. Shoes or clothes but my fav is making my own jewelry or finding some really dope pieces they carry at some spots. I’ve found the best vintage silver pieces there cuz some of these spots have been there 20 years.

To end the night I would go to the movies in city walk at universals. Been going there for years it’s one of my fav theaters. Especially at night it’s chill.

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?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my lgtbqia+ community who has supported me and accepted me and my work for many many years. I’ve always felt love from people since day one.

Website: hologramcity.net

Instagram: Hoza729

Other: planetala.bigcartel.com

Image Credits
Gwen Stefani in hologramcity Sza In hologramcity Subculture 2022 runway look (red) Planeta Los Ángeles (shop)