By: Bilge Ebiri
In the ever-evolving landscape of art and fashion, 25-year-old Jared “Simba” Crespo looks to stand out as a unique voice, fostering a spirit of creative direction that in ways almost seems to directly contrast the status quo.
Born and raised in southwest Florida, Jared’s journey began with producing and songwriting for artists, leading him to collaborations within traditional and contemporary realms alike. Now, his career has taken a significant leap as he joins L’Oréal Groupe’s initiative, representing his hometown as one of the handful of young American creatives chosen to infuse fresh ideas into the European fashion scene.
Q: Jared, your quiet and steady journey to the global stage is not exactly common knowledge. Can you tell us a bit about your beginnings and how you first got your foot into the creative world?
Jared: Absolutely, it’s honestly not the love story you’d imagine.
I started experimenting with beats and producing in high school, mostly self-taught, just diving in headfirst. But unfortunately, while I was studying in college my mom was diagnosed with MS and physically could no longer work. I was a journalism major and I was looking at a best case scenario of maybe making a few grand per month once I graduated.
My pops was locked up and needed me to be solid for him at the time as well.
Instead of dropping out to get a full time job, I decided the most efficient way I could spend my time to make ends meet was staying on campus and chasing the handful of leads I had as much as I could. Between that and a few other— under the table ventures, I was able to make more money month to month than I theoretically would’ve once I got my bachelors.
Q: So to make ends meet, you stayed on campus and turned your dorm into a workspace? Did you have any intentions of graduating?
Jared: Honestly I couldn’t see that far, it wasn’t as picturesque as someone would think. At that point an average week would consist of almost 60 hours of sending emails and inquiries to artists and managers from a borrowed laptop. At times I started to question myself, but I’m grateful I had the foresight at that age to understand it was my heavy circumstances that I was struggling with, not the grind itself.
Q: Are there any particular artists or collaborators that helped you grow along the way?
Jared: Oh my goodness yes, I wouldn’t be half the artist that I am today if I didn’t allow myself to sit down shut up and listen to the amazing people I’ve crossed paths with.
Someone I will always have a crazy level of gratitude for is Paulina Singer who is not only
— incredibly talented but is also someone who had faith in me as a creative very early on. I learned some of my most important lessons about artistic transparency and creative control when it came to working on her Album.
Nate Traveller is one of my only real friends in the industry. I could go on forever about that kid. He’s a billion dollar human being. We love you over on this side Nate!
Also before we move on, shoutout to Jack, Teek, Marvin, Kid Super, Eddie, Dirk and Brittany for believing in me when they didn’t have to. — I hope I get to bless them back one day.
Q: When you look at your career now, how does the music connect with your current role at L’Oréal?
Jared: Music and fashion have always felt connected to me. They’re both ways to communicate, emotions, and culture. My experience as a producer taught me how to be more potent in my collaboration, timing, and, naturally, my overall intention. I think that it’s all really relevant to design. I’m trying to remember that during my creative process with L’Oréal.
It’s about creating something cohesive and memorable that resonates. Music was the first language I used to tell my story, and now I feel like I’m expanding into a visual language through design.
Q: Being selected as one of the few American creatives in this initiative by L’Oréal must be exciting. What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?
Jared: I don’t necessarily love the way that question is geared, let me tell you why if that’s ok.
The initiative itself that L’Oréal has created is a direct response to a growing wave that was started over a decade ago.
For over a century, Europe and their cornerstone designers like Dior, Prada and Gucci have been the sole authority on the way fashion moves and breathes, they dictate everything.
To be candid, America has historically been viewed as the amateurs with a few exceptions, until recently. Visionaries such as, Virgil, Kid Super, Pharrell, Tyler The Creator, & A$AP Rocky have all gained footholds and truly have the pulse in their hands, even overseas.
For the first time ever American designers are telling the world how to fashion their pants, how to button their shirts. The common denominator to me between all those creative people seems to be the unprecedented music culture that’s been created here in America. At some point that influence crossed over into high fashion and the entities such a L’Oréal aren’t stupid, this initiative I’m a part of is to get ahead of the curve.
That was a long winded narrative to give you a response to that initial question.
The differences between me and the person to the left of me at Paris Fashion Week are not important & shouldn’t be what’s highlighted. What matters are the shoulders that we’re standing on and the larger movement that all of us have the duty of carrying forward. Even if only one or two of us makes a breakthrough and create waves off this, I see it as a win for everyone back home and what we represent. I just hope everyone else feels the same.
Q: As you step into this role, what are some of your immediate plans for Paris Fashion Week in terms of collections? Any particular vision you’re excited to share?
Jared: I’m definitely looking forward to merging unexpected elements. Right now, I’m working on integrating materials in a way that feels luxurious but still practical. We’re experimenting with textures, colors, and shapes inspired by natural elements, but reinterpreting them for a high-fashion context. I want to build pieces that are timeless but also forward-thinking. There’s so much room to experiment, and L’Oréal has given me lots of room to do just that.
Q: Your work as a producer and a creative director seems deeply personal. What motivates you to keep pushing boundaries in both fields?
Jared: For me, both music and fashion are ways of leaving a mark. I feel like we’re in a time where art has the power to change perspectives and make people feel seen. Music was my first way of connecting with people, especially those who felt like they didn’t have or deserve that connection, I want my work in fashion to have that same impact. My drive comes from a need to tell stories that resonate and bring people together. There’s an energy in the process of creating something that didn’t exist before, and knowing that it might make someone feel or think differently—there’s nothing like it.
An example of this is within the perspective of beauty. As a mixed kid from South Florida I may find beauty within things in a way that the European scope that’s stood for years may not.
I’m not here to say that one is superior to the other, just that both deserve the right to exist.
That’s why when I source modeling, photography, or even crew behind the scenes I try to almost deliberately find people that would be overlooked for super technical reasons or superficial expectations that I don’t necessarily agree with.
Based on my own beauty standards, the kind of individuals I prefer to work with consistently would be considered “unideal” for the runway and I feel like I speak for a very sizable portion of the world when I say there needs to be a balance within the industry itself.
That’s why I feel the thesis of my collection “equilibrium” is so potent. It stands on the same premise that art itself stands on, expression is for everyone.
Q: Jared, your debut collection with L’Oréal, is in fact titled “Equilibrium,” you mentioned that this one particularly really means a lot to you. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this collection?
Jared: Equilibrium is all about finding harmony—between nature and fashion, between sustainability and luxury. It’s a concept that’s been close to my heart. I wanted to create pieces that evoke a sense of balance, both visually and philosophically. With all the noise in the world, I felt it was essential to design something that grounds us, reminding us of our connection to the natural world.
It is exceptionally rare for all of the world’s cultures, religions, and scientific studies to unanimously come together and universally agree on ANY ideologies or concepts. The one thing that I have found that persists no matter what individuals may happen to believe in or where they come from is the concept of equilibrium.
It may take a different appearance in certain cases but it is always defined the same way. Hinduism & Buddhism demonstrates it through reincarnation, the Judeo/Christian texts demonstrate it through heaven & hell, science demonstrates it through scientific laws such as the law of conservation of mass & energy, that nothing can be truly created or destroyed just displaced elsewhere. We even have visual concepts such as Yin and Yang that have tried to articulate this idea for centuries.
This universal mechanic that is observed throughout every corner of the human race and the need to create said balance is undeniable.
I feel my role as a creator is to be a part of that balancing act by breathing God, Nature & Humanity into the vacuum that I see as gently and honestly as I possibly can.
My collection deals with universal themes, nature, GOD, love, equilibrium, things that we as humans universally understand no matter where you’re from or who you are, and no matter how intricate or elaborate,
I want my art to be approachable and be connotative of a feeling welcomeness & familiarity, there’s enough divisiveness and shock value within the world and what we consume in our phones on a day to day basis, if nothing else I hope being truly honest with myself is refreshing enough to deem my work worthy of being observed through a scope as prestigious as PFW
Q: And we’re premiering the flagship item from “Equilibrium” here—the “Life” Bags. They’re stunning! What inspired these designs?
Jared: Thank you! Each bag is hand designed with elements & schemes inspired by flora, each telling their own individual story. The materials used on the lining of the bag are actually bio-friendly! Meaning you can literally grow a flower from the bag itself (if you’re the kinda person that doesn’t care about putting dirt inside a $2000 bag.)
The intention was to put an extensive amount of handmade detail to make each piece feel alive. I wanted these bags to feel like they’ve grown from the earth itself, making them both a fashion statement and a reminder of our connection to nature and God itself.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to other young creatives aiming to make their mark?
Jared: Stay true to your vision and trust the process. You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room; let your work speak for itself. Experiment without worrying too much about trends. The only way to create something truly new is to be fearless and embrace the unknown.
And remember, connections are everything. Collaborate with others, stay curious, and be open to learning. You never know where a single idea might take you.
For more information about Jared “Simba” Crespo’s journey and creative endeavors, visit his business page and follow him on Instagram.
