Former Host of “Behind The Velvet Ropes,” The Style Network; Columnist for “Lunch With Lauren,” Paper Magazine; “Girl Reporter,” Better TV.
By content editorial director photographer
Lauren Ezersky is a study in contrast and style. With her trademark, dark smoky eyes and layered approach to jewelry, Lauren subscribes to the “more is more” philosophy. A familiar face on the fashion scene, Lauren Ezersky is strikingly beautiful. “Because I wear a lot of black, people come into my apartment and are surprised it’s not black and all goth,” said Lauren.
In fact, it’s just the opposite: an elegant, feminine pied-à-terre, fit for Marie Antoinette.
As host of “Behind The Velvet Ropes,” the Style Network’s successful, long-running television show, each week Lauren took 70 million viewers, in 12 countries, behind the scenes of the hottest fashion shows and interviewed the top designers. Until then, no one had gained that kind of access. Somewhat of a cult classic, “Behind The Velvet Ropes” may have been television’s first reality show.
For over 10 years, viewers couldn’t get enough of Lauren’s attention-grabbing outfits, her salt-and-pepper hair—which is now a chic, natural gray—her animated Yonkers accent and her chihuahuas. It should come as no surprise that Lauren is brimming with chutzpah and is not afraid to speak her mind, to anyone.
When famed photographer, the late Helmut Newton, photographed Lauren and her girlfriend one night at dinner, Lauren said to him, “You’re taking our pictures, and it’s really dark in here. How are they going to come out? Later, I’m like, ‘What a moron! This is Helmut Newton, and I’m telling him what to do!’”
”’Behind The Velvet Ropes” was all just off the cuff,” said Lauren. “Whatever happened, happened: good, bad or indifferent. Now the fashion designers are no longer the main focus. It’s the celebrities and their stylists, but I still want to know about Michael Kors and Isaac Mizrahi and what they’re doing.”
In addition to interviewing the fashion industry elite, the slender, leggy Lauren became somewhat of a fashion icon herself. New York Magazine wrote that Lauren could look like “the Addams-family child who ran away with John Galliano, and the next (day) like a forties housewife in head-to-toe Prada with stacked heels and tweed suit.”
Lauren’s always had her own style. When she was in college in Boston, she went to apply for a job at a small boutique. “I had a turban on, and all these bracelets up to here. They looked at me like I had a third eye. I didn’t get the job.”
“I love people who have their own style… which is not necessarily about money,” Lauren said. “You don’t have to wear designer clothes. It’s about making and creating a look for yourself that’s different and that’s you.”
Because of her fun and somewhat irreverent style of interviewing, Lauren’s legions of fans are hoping she gets another television show. “This is a cold business. You were number one, in the front row, with the New York Times at a fashion show, and then no one gives a bleep anymore. You’re only as good as your last gig.”
The older you get, I think you realize that things don’t make you happy.
with Lauren
MOST IMPORTANT SURVIVAL SKILL
Just never give up, and don’t listen to people if they’re negative. I remember when I was first starting, and people said, ‘Oh, you’ll never get on television. You have a New York accent, and you dress crazy. You just don’t have the TV look, so just forget it, and move on.’
THROWS YOU OFF YOUR GAME
I had an incident yesterday. I don’t know why I can’t let this go, but it’s really bothering me. Let’s just say there’s no courtesy anymore.
MOST TREASURED POSSESSION
I have lots of treasured possessions. They’re not always valuable. It might just be like a stuffed bear, or a flower, or my dogs. I just love my things. I like my environment. I try to make it as neat as I can.
BEST NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE
I’ve had a lot of great times, but the best night… No, I would not want to say that, because then it’s like, what do you look forward to? Maybe the best is yet to come.
RECHARGES YOUR BATTERIES
I have a house on Long Island. I go out there. Travel. Stay in bed for one day. Order Chinese food. Just relax.
EARLY FASHION MEMORY
I remember my mother was in the hospital, and my father was in charge of getting me dressed. I got sent to the school office for wearing culottes. They called my father and he said, “‘She looked good when she left the house, so don’t bother me with this nonsense.” I was like, ‘Cool, dad.’
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
Eclectic. One day I might want to wear a ballgown out, and one day I might want to wear jeans, so it just depends how I feel.
FAVORITE DESIGNERS
Azzedine Alaïa, and I love Chrome Hearts, and I do like some Ralph Lauren. You would think they wouldn’t go together, but they do.
IF YOU WERE TO GIVE STYLE LESSONS
Go shopping by yourself. Don’t go with a friend. Look in the mirror. I mean, really gage yourself and really look. Does it look good on you? Also, take a little bit of a risk. I think women do not do that. Women say, ‘Oh, I can’t wear this.’ You can. Just do it.
MISSING FROM YOUR CLOSET
I need another apartment just for my clothes, but that’s New York. I think a lot of old timers are moving out of the city. They can’t afford it because New York is just out of control, financially. The apartments are just crazy.
HANDBAG OF CHOICE
I’m into my Chrome Hearts.
I SPLURGE ON
Jewelry. I’ve got a lot of old, new and vintage. It all looks good. That’s my only rule.
DEFINITION OF LUXURY
Whatever makes you feel glamorous, whether it’s mascara, a pair of high heels, a really great handbag, a great dress.
LIPSTICK OR EYELINER
Eyeliner! Not even a heartbeat…
BEAUTY VIRTUE
No, I just love makeup. Every day you can look different. I wear a lot of MAC cosmetics. I love their campaigns. I love that they use women of all ages, ethnicities and men in makeup. It’s just really cool.
BEAUTY VICE
No. I just love makeup.
HOW DO YOU STAY IN SHAPE
I walk a lot, seriously a lot, but I hate working out. My only workout is picking up a fork to eat, shopping and taking out my credit card.
15 Comments
Just love her! Great interview.
Lauren is one of a kind. I really enjoyed my time with her. Glad you like her as well. Brenda
The Winter Rose
You tell me that you are so sad and depressed
You can close your eyes but you can get no rest
You say that you haven’t slept in days
That night after night you just lay awake
Lay your precious head in winter’s sleep
The snow is really piling up it’s knee deep
The North wind through the tree’s it roars
How you wish your broken heart could soar
You say that with every day a little more hope is dying
But it’s good to know that you haven’t given up trying
Dont allow your hopes to be buried by the winter white
Bring your dreams fourth and into the promising light
As the cold winter’s evening turns to the darkness night
You have a candle on your window sill burning bright
You feel the candle brings the spirit closer to you
Upon every night you say your scared prayers too
When you wake your head is buried under the covers
You have been scorned by all of your past lovers
Let me bandage your broken and bleeding heart
Hopefully allowing you to make a brand new start
There’s always hope for a better new tomorrow
A brilliant ending to all of your tears of sorrow
Don’t allow your dreams to simply go out to sea
Close your eyes, make a wish and try to believe
Last year you planted a seed of love beneath the frost
Now you can see the beauty and imagine all is not lost
The winter rose almost consumed by the bitter snow
Yet still she retains the resiliency to bloom and grow
One day the morning sun will come up just for you
And you’ll find that all of your dreams come true
By Gary Edward Allen 2017
Terrific interview. Such an interesting and beautiful woman!
Lauren’s beautiful and smart and such a doll. She’ll be glad to know you like her as well. xoxo, Brenda
Love the interview! I would love to meet her!
Hi Barbara,
I’d love for all of you to meet Lauren! I’m working on that:)
xoxox,
Brenda
Terrific interview. I love to see how other women think and live.
So do I. I belonged to a writers’ group for a long time. We wrote memoir, and the group was called “Women, Windows & Walls” because we loved reading and seeing how other women lived.
fun read. xxx
So happy you enjoyed it.
I love her hair, and I would probably love the New York accent too. There’s just never enough real individuality in the world for me. She’s herself, it’s great.
You’ve pinpointed perhaps my favorite thing about Lauren: Her individuality. She’s definitely not cookie cutter!
I literally ‘bumped’ into her at Bergdorf.s years ago…I said hello!, and she responded right back like I was her dear friend. Touched by her warmth to a stranger. I will always wish her such success….
Suzanne,
How nice! I’ll tell her.
Brenda