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Behind the Velvet Ropes

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Behind the Velvet Ropes
Title card for Behind the Velvet Ropes featuring teal and pink text on a purple background, over the backdrop of Manhattan
Title card
Genre
  • Fashion
  • Interview
  • Documentary
Created byEarl Crittenden
Presented by
  • Earl Crittenden (1984–early 1990s)
  • Lauren Ezersky (early 1990s–2012)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons20+
No. of episodes1000+
Production
Executive producerLauren Ezersky
ProducerLauren Ezersky
Running time30 minutes
Original release
Network
  • Public-access television (1984–1999)
  • Style Network (1999–2012)
Release1984 (1984) –
2012 (2012)

Behind the Velvet Ropes was an American fashion-focused television series best known for being hosted by journalist Lauren Ezersky. Originally launched on public-access television in New York City in 1984,[1] the show aired for more than two decades, ultimately gaining broader distribution via the Style Network in the late 1990s.

The series was known for its unfiltered interviews, vibrant on-location reporting, and Ezersky's eccentric personal style, which contributed to the program's cult following.[2]

Format and content

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Episodes featured behind-the-scenes coverage of fashion shows, showroom tours, trunk shows, red carpet events, and fashion week presentations. Ezersky conducted unscripted interviews with designers, models, celebrities, and stylists, often delivering commentary in her signature, humorous tone.

She once described herself as a "total animal" regarding fashion, reflected in her approach to the show.[3] The series initially emphasized the glamorous and often exclusive culture of the fashion world, but Ezersky's approach made it accessible to a wider audience.[2]

History

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Behind the Velvet Ropes debuted in 1984, created and originally hosted by Earl Crittenden. After Ezersky's early appearances, she assumed full hosting duties in the early 1990s. She also became the show's executive producer.[1]

In 1999, the program was picked up by the Style Network, a division of E! Entertainment Television, which increased its visibility and international distribution.[1] Ezersky was known to shoot up to five segments per day and delivered hundreds of episodes annually.[2] Despite its wide distribution, Ezersky reportedly faced pushback from network executives who found her style "too New York."[1]

Guests and impact

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The show regularly featured prominent fashion figures, including Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Betsey Johnson, Isaac Mizrahi, and Gianni Versace. Supermodels such as Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, as well as entertainers like RuPaul and Molly Ringwald, also appeared.[2] Photographer Helmut Newton was one of the show's most celebrated interviewees.[4]

It attracted over 60 million viewers worldwide during its run,[5] and was broadcast up to ten times per week during its peak.[6] The show attracted a dedicated viewership, particularly in international markets such as Japan, where Ezersky gained notable fan attention during Fashion Week appearances.[3] According to reports, Japanese fans would follow her during fashion events and chant her name.[3]

Legacy

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Behind the Velvet Ropes is considered part of a formative era in fashion television, before the rise of digital influencers and fashion blogging.[6] Its informal tone and direct access distinguish it from more polished, brand-aligned fashion programming. In a 2022 interview, Ezersky reflected on the series as emblematic of a "golden age" of fashion coverage.[6]

Ezersky has uploaded archival episodes to her personal YouTube channel, including footage from 1997 and 1998.[7] These segments showcase fashion weeks, designer interviews, and showroom access, preserving a visual record of 1990s fashion culture. Selected episodes have also been made available via WOW Presents Plus, a streaming service focused on fashion and LGBTQ+ programming.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sherrill, Marcia Stevens (2002). Stylemakers: Inside Fashion. Carey Adina Karmel (contributor). New York: Monacelli Press. pp. 66–67. ISBN 978-1-58093-099-4.
  2. ^ a b c d Satenstein, Liana (September 9, 2013). "Behind the Velvet Ropes's Lauren Ezersky on the Golden Age of Fashion Reporting". Fashionista. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Larocca, Amy (September 12, 2002). "Style Channeler". New York. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  4. ^ Satenstein, Liana (October 17, 2015). "Designer Q&A: Lauren Ezersky". Interview. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  5. ^ "Behind the Velvet Ropes – Official Site". Behind the Velvet Ropes. Archived from the original on June 25, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Satenstein, Liana (February 15, 2022). "Lauren Ezersky Is Still New York's Most Unjaded Fashion Journalist". Vogue. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "Lauren Ezersky YouTube Channel". YouTube. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  8. ^ "Behind the Velvet Ropes". WOW Presents Plus. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
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