Ezra Lafayette

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Ezra Lafayette

CEO & FOUNDER

(The company name is only visible to registered members)

  • 90210 Beverly Hills
  • United States

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Personal information

Professional experience

  • to present

    (Only visible for registered members)

  • Nov 2006 - Mar 2009

    (2 years, 5 months)

    Automotive Designer

    Galpin Auto Sport, http://www.galpinautosports.com

    Industry: Automotive

  •  

    Head of North America branch

    MEC DESIGN GROUP, http://www.mecdesign.de

    Industry: Automotive

  •  

    automotive/ aviation design

    Golden West Models

    Industry: Motion Pictures

  • Employment status
    Entrepreneur

Educational background

  •  
    Pasadena Art Center of Design

    Automotive, Transportation, and product Design

  • Languages
    English

About me

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STAR POWER
Kid’s charisma makes success a sure thing
 

Ezra Lafayette looks more like a rock star than an automotive whiz.
As I interviewed him, along with the gorgeous and gifted actress and model, Brooke Long, I couldn’t help but notice that the young designer resembles the musician, Lenny Kravitz.
And, throughout our discussion, it became apparent to me that Ezra’s look was clearly part of the plan - a symbol of confidence, of swagger. With his stunning list of accomplishments, I guess he can dress, and look, anyway he wants.
I mean, how many of us, at 23, were running our own company?
The Ezra Design Group, based in Beverly Hills, has established working relationships with Galpin Auto Sports, a business founded in 1946, and Ford Motors.
In its first year of operation, Ezra’s firm completed more than seven design projects. Not bad – in an industry where dues are paid in years - for someone still considered a kid.
But I hadn’t gotten together with Ezra and Brooke to talk about the past. No, we convened to speak of the future, and the magazine E, as his friends call him, intends to produce.
How could he have the audacity to think he can swim where so many others have sunk?
The answer, I suppose, was in the clothes.
 

 

 
The market is saturated; you’re going to have to narrow your target. Who is your reader?
EZRA: We’re going after people that have already obtained, or established, a certain lifestyle. And we’re going after people that are trying to reach that level, those that want to become more knowledgeable about how to get there. By lifestyle, I’m referring to a particular taste in terms of automobiles, fashion and way of life.
 
You’ll have a lot of competition. The bookstores are overflowing with magazines as it is. What’s your edge?
EZRA: I would be ignorant not to agree with that. There are a lot of magazines out there. With technology, it seems that almost anyone can produce one. With that in mind, our goal is to become established in multiple markets.
I feel that we offer a unique insight when it comes to cars, one that springs from my knowledge of their design and just the enthusiasm I have for them.
People, in my opinion, fail to realize what goes into designing an automobile. They’re unaware of what goes on behind the scenes.
We want to make them aware.
 
How hard was it to be around Brooke?
EZRA: That’s not the first time I’ve been asked that question (laughs).
It was quite interesting, to be honest. Brooke is very beautiful, and she definitely is the life of the party. People just seem to gravitate towards her.
We held a party, prior to the shoot, it was the first time I met her in person. I’m telling you, it was crazy! Everyone wanted to be around her! The thing about Brooke, though, is she’s a real person. She has the most outgoing personality. Out here, a lot of people get caught up in the Hollywood thing, but not her. She’s truly one of a kind. I consider her a really good friend.
BROOKE: Well, I am real. I’m not a cartoon (laughs). I’d like to think I’m not the kind of person that gets caught up in L.A. I mean, I like hanging out with my family.
EZRA: See what I mean?
 
Sex sells, doesn’t it?
EZRA: Sex definitely sells, yes, but it’s how you decide to sell it that determines whether you’ll succeed.
We are one of the few car magazines that will appeal to a female clientele as well. We keep things classy. I always tell our models to portray the image – sexy - but at the same time - classy.
 
You look young, you dress young, you are young. Do you think your relative youth prevents you from being taken seriously?
EZRA: I would say that I’ve been underestimated, which is understandable. But it’s not often that you’ll find yourself sitting down with a 23-year-old that has accomplished just as much, or more, than most people that are 30.
Few people know that by the time I was a freshman in college, I was able to run and understand the basics of a business, one that was turning a profit of $100,000 per year.
I feel, really, that my age has opened numerous doors and opportunities. On the creative side, it gives you the ability to think outside the box.
BROOKE: Age is less and less important. A lot of younger people are the ones blowing people away. Look at Hollywood.
 
So, you know a lot about cars?
EZRA: Yeah, from a design standpoint, I know quite a bit about cars. Part of being an automotive designer is being able to acknowledge the expertise of others, like the engineer and the mechanic. You need to know which company to turn to regarding a specific aspect of the vehicle.
Actually, I was raised around cars. My father once picked me up from school in a Rolls Royce - eating trays, the whole thing. He himself was into the car scene when he was younger, so, naturally, he told me to stay away from it. That really worked (laughs). When I was in ninth grade, I was already taking courses at one of the top transportation design schools. My first car was a sports car, and I was into the whole underground racing scene.
 
What is it about fine cars and beautiful women?
EZRA: To be honest, I don’t really know. I think, in a way, though, you’ve already answered the question with your question … there’s an appreciation of beauty. Nobody can resist looking at the perfect painting, the perfect diamond, or a perfect sunset.
With a car, there’s just something about the smooth and precise line continuation that does it for me. You know, the sound when you’re pulling out of first - the engine, gears and tires working simultaneously.
 
Which, cars or women, are easier to handle?
EZRA: Cars, by far, are easier. At least with a car you can think about basic mechanics, and the balance of gravity and force. Once you have a feel for your car, it’s set in stone.
Sorry ladies, sometimes you can be a tad complicated for us men to figure out.
BROOKE: That’s very true for most guys. They can take a car apart and put it back together, but they have a lot of difficulty understanding women.
 
You’ve got to drive from Los Angeles to New York. What are you driving?
EZRA: Man! This is like asking me which car’s my favorite! I can’t answer that, because I have a long list of cars I plan on adding to my collection. I guess it would be a Koenigsegg CCR. Yeah, I’d like a wild ride on the way there. I was going to say an SLR-Benz, but I see one of those every other week.
 
How are you dressed?
EZRA: Well, anyone that knows me knows that I often take my suitcase and a duffle bag with me. Whenever I go out, I like to have a few options regarding what I’m wearing. I know, it’s a tad unusual. For instance, we may be out to lunch, and I’ll excuse myself from the table before we leave. I’ll come back wearing a completely different layout, including shoes – that’s what the duffle bag is for.
It would have to be my Ed Hardy hat, my Armani racing jacket and tee, Rock Republic jeans and Nike high-tops, special edition, or Aldo dress shoes.
For when we pull into New York, a black-on-black suit, so I’ll be ready to party.
 
Is Brooke coming along with you?
EZRA: Oh yeah, you know Brooke would be there. She’s at the top of her game right now, and will be for a while. C’mon, I have already established somewhat of a reputation in Hollywood for being around some of the top models and actresses. It’s something I definitely plan to keep going.
BROOKE: The experience could be fun, but with driving that far, it always sounds more fun than it actually is.
EZRA: Not to be disrespectful, but she’s mistaken … it would be fun.
 
You like to wear shades, like a lot of celebrities. Is it safe to say you’ve got some confidence?
EZRA: Who told you about the whole shades thing? That’s funny. Yeah, I have lots of confidence – it’s something that’s needed in Hollywood and the whole entertainment industry. You can get eaten alive without it.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never understood the shades at night thing, until I kind of fell into the whole Hollywood scene. I’m not used to getting attention when I go out, usually it’s my date. Shades are very useful when attending red-carpet events, with a lot of lights and photographers. They’re constantly taking pictures. It helps in setting my own environment. I have enough things on my mind when I go out in public, let alone analyzing everything I say – before I say it – when doing on-camera interviews. It’s definitely a full-time job, but I usually just go with the flow of things.
BROOKE: Oh, he’s confident, absolutely. He wouldn’t have gotten this far if he wasn’t.
 
-Dave Lukow
 

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