From model to entrepreneur, It Girl Jazmin Schmerber garners the drive and determination that it takes to successfully revolutionize an industry. Modeling was something that always came naturally to Jazmin and a dream she had for herself from a young age. When she was younger, her parents would take her out to Los Angeles on the weekends for auditions and eventually modeling became more of a weekend job for her. At 18, she was able to fully transition to modeling when she moved out to LA. For about 10 years, Jazmin worked as a model and recalls the end of that time of her life as memorable as she was able to really pick and choose which jobs she wanted and got to travel around the world to shoot. During this time, she graced the covers and was featured in magazines such as ELLE Magazine and Sports Illustrated.
As one with the creative mind of an entrepreneur, she had the idea to merge fashion, activewear, and sustainability. “I really like the mindful lifestyle, I wanted to bring the two things I knew the most and combine them, that’s when I had the idea of starting Equilibre LA.”
What inspired you to launch Equilibre LA?
The idea of Equilibre came to me at a certain cross point in my life. It was at a time where I had begun to slow down on modeling. I had been practicing yoga ritually, went back to school to study environmental sustainability, and really started exploring my appreciation for the Arts in a more serious way. I was born and raised in southern California, also known as the health capital, when it came to fitness and health trends. My lifestyle made me the ideal activewear consumer. I even called myself an “activewear connoisseur” as I wore my yoga leggings as a daily uniform.
At the time I started yoga school in Chiang Mai, Lululemon had become this international sensation, really putting them on the map as the first to create the yoga legging. When I returned from Thailand, I noticed all these new brands emerging in the space. I would almost study and compare brands to one another. I still felt fashion forward for activewear didn’t exist. It does now but athleisure didn’t exist 6 years ago. I wanted to create a collection that was made for the modern female who had to be so many different roles and maybe she needed one brand that supported all of them. Self -expression and authentic identity was an important theme for me. I wanted to create a collection that was interchangeable, yet also offered leisure/lifestyle to high performance.
How is Equilibre LA celebrating and sharing individuality through movement, style, and mindset?
The bigger picture has always been in supporting you and your goals when you wear Equilibre. I know modern woman have many roles. I want whoever wears Equilibre to feel supported by the brand through those specific named collections. The pieces were made to feel feminine and bring out confidence. The styles can easily transition from studio to photoshoot.
Apart from our competitors, being a small brand offers advantages like staying in touch with the people who wear your clothing. Most importantly, you get to follow and support their journeys too. I think that personal touch allows people to feel like they are more than just a customer buying a product. Hopefully they feel like they are a part of the brand and understand they’re also encouraging others with their confidence. Every person wearing Equilibre should feel like they can take on anything that comes their way. Equilibre family is supported and belongs to a community that values who you are.
Your collections have inspiring names including, “The Believe Collection” “The Grace Collection,” and “The Courage Collection.” Why are these names important to your vision as an entrepreneur? What can we find in your collections?
I want Equilibre designs to support bringing out your inner authentic self. Through the collection names, they evoke more than just reminders. I specifically chose these names based on the level of performance each collection offers as well. It is both mental and physical. The “Courage Collection” has crossed straps for the short and legging. This was a risk for me as a designer but ended up being a top seller. I feel anyone that wears this is someone who knows they can pull it off. They’re not afraid to take the style risk and stand out.
For the “Believe Collection”, I chose very calming colors. Soft and very cloudy. There are also very subtle design details if you notice closely. The legging and bra set don’t have loud stitching. If anything, we hid the seams. I think of clouds and fluidity when I think of this collection. “Believe in yourself and Go with the flow”.
When picking out the name or theme for “The Grace Collection”, the corset top and pearl-shine fabric is high gloss very feminine. I thought of how the corset top can easily, or gracefully, be worn with jeans or other pieces in your closet. I envisioned how it would move with you from day to night as well.
What are the top-sellers?
The Grace Set. (Corset Top with a Matching belted legging)
The Courage Collection. (Black high-shine wet looking fabric with crossed straps for the bottom set. Comes in a short and a legging with matching Bra top. Very Sexy)
And the “Inspire Jacket” (A cropped mesh Jacket that is light weight and structured. My standout piece)
Sustainability is key to Equilibre LA. Tell us more.
We practice “slow fashion”. Each collection is made in limited quantities, and also produced locally in LA. Our fashion doesn’t travel around the world and isn’t made with unfair wages or conditions. I also don’t over produce and don’t believe in creating unlimited seasons to keep up with an antiquated fashion calendar. It seems very wasteful to me.
Production: We produce locally in Downtown Los Angeles and even create relationships with local vendors.
The fabric mills we choose prioritize mill practices that reduce waste, emissions, and water usage to limit impact on the environment. The majority of our fabrics are certified with OEKO-TEX, Bluesign, Higg Index, and EPA Approval, REPREVE Recycled Polyester, GREENLON Recycled Nylon, GRS (Global Recycle Stand), and Mipan Regen Recycled Nylon.
What challenge have you faced when launching your brand?
I faced many challenges and changes throughout the years when launching this brand. I worked with a development company that basically took my money and 2 years of my time to return unfinished samples. I had to start all over. Then there was a pandemic and the lockdown of our country. I had to wait to start all over and find a new factory to produce. I also entered motherhood before the lockdown happened
How have you grown as an entrepreneur?
As a first-time founder, I have also found challenges in leading a team and as I am learning alongside of them. It’s been challenging juggling family, a team, business, and your own personal needs. I’ve learned through experience that your health, both physical and mental come first before anything else. Find other entrepreneurs that you can talk to and meet with in your area. I’ve learned that not everything is the end of the world if it goes wrong, a problem-solving skill I never had before. I’ve also learned that a lot of people don’t have it figured out as well as it may seem and that sometimes it comes to you when you learn to let go of control.
Any plans for collaborations?
We want to continue collaborating in the digital space by bringing it to the physical one. We have some unlikely surprises coming up and I can’t wait to hear or see the reactions some may have.
How important is giving back to you?
Before, I wanted to focus specifically on giving back to women and children through the brand. That could be through funding, volunteering, and/or providing opportunities. I hope I get the opportunity to volunteer my time in many different organizations. I’d like to learn and grow from others and what we don’t see in our daily lives in order to better understand what needs need to be met in any community.
As an Influencer, what is your vision for Equilibre LA for 2022?
I go back and read questionnaires I answered in 2017 and it makes me happy to read how much of a dreamer or ambitious I was. I’m still sticking to my original plan of mixing media and tech with Equilibre. For me, that’s thinking outside the norms with digital fashion and gaming. Perhaps with influencers or gaming/VR companies. The best and tech is yet to come.
Instagram: @earth2jazzy
Twitter: @jazminschmerber
About The Author
