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Hollyandroo is a name that’s fast becoming synonymous with cultural pride and global style. The Sierra Leonean-American stylist has dressed some of the biggest names in music—including Afrobeats superstar Davido—while making waves with his own viral creations like the Mama Salone varsity jacket. His work moves beyond trends, weaving personal history, heritage, and storytelling into every piece. Rooted in Sierra Leone but shaped by New York’s fashion pulse, Hollyandroo embodies a new generation of creatives using style to bridge worlds and amplify voices.
Noted Noire: How did your upbringing shape your sense of style and artistry?
Hollyandroo: I think it started with simply wanting to fit in. At some point, we all wanted to be the “cool kid” in school. I was born in Sierra Leone and migrated to New York when I was just four years old. As we all know, New Yorkers are some of the most expressive people in the world. Harlem, especially, was a place where style spoke volumes. Watching the older kids on the block with their bold looks always intrigued me. I wanted to be fresh like that too.
For me, fashion became more than clothing—it was a form of creative expression. I know clothes are just material things, but I’m a firm believer that when you look good, you feel good, and you give yourself a greater chance of doing good.
NN: Can you recall your earliest memory of creating something artistic or fashionable?
HA: I was raised by a single mother of five boys, so funds weren’t always available for “cool things.” In middle school, I remember spending hours on Nike ID customizing sneakers online, even though I knew my mom wouldn’t be able to buy them. The thrill of designing alone was fulfilling at the time.
NN: Who or what first inspired you to see fashion as storytelling, not just clothing?
HA: Honestly—grade school bullies. Growing up African in the U.S. in the early 2000s wasn’t easy. We’ve come a long way since the “African Booty Scratcher” days. Once I realized how shallow my peers could be, and that all it took was “cool clothes” for acceptance, I leaned into it. I discovered I had a natural talent for styling pieces creatively, even with limited resources. Over time, I used clothing not just for acceptance but to tell my story—where I came from, and who I was. In a way, it was childhood trauma that pushed me to merge style and storytelling.
NN: What was the moment you decided to turn your creative passion into a career?
HA: It kind of happened naturally. I still find it hard to internalise that this is my career now. I’ve always been a creative at heart, and I knew the corporate world wasn’t for me. I graduated with a business degree, but I never felt the urge to apply for internships or jobs in that space.
For me, it’s always been about creating. I don’t know exactly what my path will look like 20 years from now, but I’m determined and hopeful for a bright future.
HA: The Mama Salone varsity jacket was a pivotal moment in my journey. Storytelling has always been important to me, because my background is so deeply rooted. I’m a war baby from Sierra Leone who was blessed with the chance to migrate to the U.S. I may live far away, but my heart is still with the kids back home who didn’t get the same opportunities.
So when I tell my story, I’m also amplifying theirs—and giving them hope that they too can shape their future.
NN: Your work often carries Sierra Leonean symbolism. How important is cultural preservation in your designs?
HA: Extremely important. Culture is history, identity, and story. To understand someone’s “now,” you have to know their past. For me, preserving and amplifying that is everything.
I migrated to the U.S. at just four years old, and I’m 31 now, so America has been home for most of my life. But I’ve always stayed deeply rooted in my African background. Travel has also been a big influence—it keeps me balanced, socially and creatively, while giving me a global perspective.
NN: How do you stay original in such a fast-moving industry?
HA: By not consuming too much of it. I stay focused on my personal mission. Of course, I study the industry to stay informed, but I don’t let it control me. I always say I’m in the industry but not of it. I move to the beat of my own drum and do what feels right for me—respectfully.
NN: What’s been your most memorable exhibition or pop-up so far?
HA: Earlier this year, I hosted an exhibition and pop-up during NYFW titled MA MUSU. It was deeply personal to me because it honored my late Aunty Musu, who played a major role in bringing me and 12 relatives to the U.S. as refugees from Sierra Leone’s war.
We all lived in her one-bedroom Harlem apartment, and her discipline and guidance shaped me into the man I am today. The event allowed me to share her story with the world and ensure her name lives on. Having my daughter there to witness it made it even more special.
NN: Are there collaborations or dream projects you’d love to bring to life?
HA: Designing for an African sports team at a major event like the World Cup would be a dream. Another would be creating school uniforms back home in Sierra Leone or Liberia. That would mean so much to my family—especially my mom.
NN: Outside of fashion, how else do you express creativity?
HA: Through travel. I love being immersed in different cultures. One destination that has always inspired me is Tokyo. In my opinion, Japan is about 10 years ahead creatively, and experiencing that energy firsthand excites me every time.
NN: What’s one thing your followers might be surprised to learn about you?
HA: That I love doing regular things. Picking my daughter up from school and taking her somewhere fun brings me real joy. I find inspiration in those simple, everyday moments.
