In March, Paris Hilton had awarded Crop It Like It’s Hot a wildfire relief grant through her #SlivingForSmallBiz initiative.
During weekend one of Coachella Music & Arts Festival, Paris Hilton wore an Onyx Catsuit and Black Braided Shrug from Crop It Like It’s Hot. What few onlookers likely realized was how the socialite’s support prior to the festival has kept the local rave garment designer in business.
Crop It Like It’s Hot is the brainchild of Hana O’Connor, who launched the tiedye and braided clothing brand in the midst of the pandemic. But the challenges wouldn’t end during that uncertain time. Hana was forced to cease operations in January due to the Eaton Fire, which incinerated houses throughout SoCal — including hers.
“Five years down the drain,” Hana told EDM Identity in an email. “I knew I couldn’t recover from that. I had invested thousands of dollars in inventory and equipment, and it was ash. I knew I was facing getting a ‘big girl job’ and that also felt like a death. I didn’t want to leave working in the festival community.”
Then, in late March, Hana received an email that restored her hope for the future. Paris Hilton had introduced a fire relief initiative called #SlivingForSmallBiz through her 11:11 Media nonprofit in which she awarded grants of up to $25,000 to 50 women business owners. Hana was one of the recipients, allowing her to relaunch Crop It Like It’s Hot.
“When I got the email last week, my heart was pounding so hard in my chest and ears,” Hana wrote in an Instagram post. “Arguably louder than the bass from this weekend at Beyond Wonderland. I can’t wait to reopen.”
Prior to last weekend, the Onyx Catsuit has been worn by influencers like Hera Sfikas, Jami Jones, and Sami LeBlunt. And it isn’t the last such garment that Paris Hilton plans to rock at festivals. “She also has some other pieces of mine in store for Stagecoach and future events!” wrote Hana. “I sent her a total of five outfits and she says she wants them in more colors after she tried everything on!”
Weekend two of Coachella runs from April 18-20. If you plan to attend, keep an eye out for more tiedye and braided clothing looks from the one and only Crop It Like It’s Hot.
