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Behind the Seams: My Life in Creativity, Friendship and Adventure
From adventures at Central Saint Martins to The Great British Sewing Bee, go behind the scenes of Esme Young's amazing life...
At age five, Esme was asked to write in her notebook, but instead, she filled it with drawings - the only way she knew to express herself. At seven, when it was discovered she was partially deaf, she found refuge in her sketchbooks. Shortly after, Esme made her first garment and a passion for sewing and designing was born. As a teenager, she made her way to London where her creative journey truly began.
Living in a squat with other young creatives, Esme made the most of her time; studying at Central Saint Martins, launching a clothing line called Swanky Modes with three friends and £50 each, watching Notting Hill Carnival with David Bowie, and altering a dress for Cher. The '90s saw a career move into costumes for films, where she designed outfits for Trainspotting, Bridget Jones's Diary and The Beach, before she moved onto the small screen herself.
A celebration of a creative life lived differently, Behind the Seams is a reminder that it's never too early, or too late to pick up a needle and start stitching in a new direction.
At age five, Esme was asked to write in her notebook, but instead, she filled it with drawings - the only way she knew to express herself. At seven, when it was discovered she was partially deaf, she found refuge in her sketchbooks. Shortly after, Esme made her first garment and a passion for sewing and designing was born. As a teenager, she made her way to London where her creative journey truly began.
Living in a squat with other young creatives, Esme made the most of her time; studying at Central Saint Martins, launching a clothing line called Swanky Modes with three friends and £50 each, watching Notting Hill Carnival with David Bowie, and altering a dress for Cher. The '90s saw a career move into costumes for films, where she designed outfits for Trainspotting, Bridget Jones's Diary and The Beach, before she moved onto the small screen herself.
A celebration of a creative life lived differently, Behind the Seams is a reminder that it's never too early, or too late to pick up a needle and start stitching in a new direction.
280 pages, Hardcover
Published April 14, 2022
125 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
August 3, 2022
I love the Sewing Bee and I love Esme's eagle-eyed critiques of the clothes, and the fun relationship she has with Patrick. In the last series in particular, there have been some tantalising hints about her previous life as a designer for the avant garde Swanky Modes, so I was really looking forward to learning more.
You do get a lot more in this book, and don't get me wrong, it's a nice, easy and interesting read. It's packed full of surprising references to musicians and other artists - I don't know why I'm surprised, but it's maybe because Esme looks so prim and proper and she is so clearly not. Swanky Modes were a group of four women who set up shop in London to design and sell as a collective - so way ahead of their time. Their clothes were out there, just at a time in the early 70s when people were looking for out there, and when punk was just around the corner (Esme and the gang were at the heart of this, and it's the bit of the book that I hoovered up, it brought so many evocative memories of myself in those days and my early attempts to create something a bit out there to wear .)
So far, so entertaining. Esme is a surprise package. She's honest and warm-hearted, she's highly individual - has been all her life, has stuck to it too - and as such my admiration for her rocketed. I'd love to sit next to her at at dinner party. I'd love to have her critique some of my creations - even though I'd be quaking in my boots. I love Esme.
So why didn't I love the book more? I think it's primarily because it doesn't seem to have a purpose. It documents key times, and it documents the highlights of those, all the positive things for example, about four women working together, managing families and other commitments, doing it for the love of clothes and not for the money. It's not that I wanted scandal, I cannot imagine Esme is the type of person to dish the dirt, but it was all a bit nice. There wasn't any analysis - why did this work, why did this fail. There was little emotion - the struggles were glossed over, so we didn't get to see the pain, which made the triumphs less triumphant. And there wasn't a lot of context either, other than the lists of people she encountered. It must have been a tough and difficult time - she does admit to being scared - but this was a feel good book.
Nothing wrong with that. I learnt a lot about pattern cutting I didn't know - in fact enough to make me not only respect the pattern cutter a great deal more, but to make me want to learn more and try to be a bit more adventurous myself. I really enjoyed the book and raced through it. But in the end, I was left feeling a bit flat. Esme is clearly a private person, and despite some of the shocking reveals such as her riding a bike almost naked, she remains a deeply private person. I didn't feel that I got to know her. Though it left me wanting to!
You do get a lot more in this book, and don't get me wrong, it's a nice, easy and interesting read. It's packed full of surprising references to musicians and other artists - I don't know why I'm surprised, but it's maybe because Esme looks so prim and proper and she is so clearly not. Swanky Modes were a group of four women who set up shop in London to design and sell as a collective - so way ahead of their time. Their clothes were out there, just at a time in the early 70s when people were looking for out there, and when punk was just around the corner (Esme and the gang were at the heart of this, and it's the bit of the book that I hoovered up, it brought so many evocative memories of myself in those days and my early attempts to create something a bit out there to wear .)
So far, so entertaining. Esme is a surprise package. She's honest and warm-hearted, she's highly individual - has been all her life, has stuck to it too - and as such my admiration for her rocketed. I'd love to sit next to her at at dinner party. I'd love to have her critique some of my creations - even though I'd be quaking in my boots. I love Esme.
So why didn't I love the book more? I think it's primarily because it doesn't seem to have a purpose. It documents key times, and it documents the highlights of those, all the positive things for example, about four women working together, managing families and other commitments, doing it for the love of clothes and not for the money. It's not that I wanted scandal, I cannot imagine Esme is the type of person to dish the dirt, but it was all a bit nice. There wasn't any analysis - why did this work, why did this fail. There was little emotion - the struggles were glossed over, so we didn't get to see the pain, which made the triumphs less triumphant. And there wasn't a lot of context either, other than the lists of people she encountered. It must have been a tough and difficult time - she does admit to being scared - but this was a feel good book.
Nothing wrong with that. I learnt a lot about pattern cutting I didn't know - in fact enough to make me not only respect the pattern cutter a great deal more, but to make me want to learn more and try to be a bit more adventurous myself. I really enjoyed the book and raced through it. But in the end, I was left feeling a bit flat. Esme is clearly a private person, and despite some of the shocking reveals such as her riding a bike almost naked, she remains a deeply private person. I didn't feel that I got to know her. Though it left me wanting to!
May 16, 2022
I know nothing about dress making and have little interest in fashion but I love Esme. I read this book in a day because it was exactly what I knew it would be - fun, interesting and hypnotic.
I didn't understand any of the sewing bits but then I love watching Sewing Bee because watching people being creative is really what it's all about.
And Esme is the queen of it. Her whole life has revolved around fashion and creativity and her enthusiasm for her subject leaps out of her autobiography.
Loved it. Highly recommended for fans of Sewing Bee, Esme or simply fashion and creativity in all its forms.
I didn't understand any of the sewing bits but then I love watching Sewing Bee because watching people being creative is really what it's all about.
And Esme is the queen of it. Her whole life has revolved around fashion and creativity and her enthusiasm for her subject leaps out of her autobiography.
Loved it. Highly recommended for fans of Sewing Bee, Esme or simply fashion and creativity in all its forms.
June 6, 2022
I adored this book! I feel like I've spent the weekend chatting to Esme and even been on a few adventures with her. Her voice comes through the pages, loud and clear. Surprising, educational, funny, warm and touching. I don't think you have to be a fan of The Great British Sewing Bee to love this book, just a fan of interesting life stories and a life being well lived! Fabulous.
June 2, 2022
I love The sewing Bee, and love Esme Young who is a judge on the program, but the book was disappointing. It was just a string of "I did this, and then this happened , and then , and then , and then........"
June 4, 2023
Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…
“I could have taken it easy, and continued to teach at college part time, and make costumes for the rest of the time… but where would be the jeopardy in that. I like to try new things and different things, and I think it’s wonderful that I had the opportunity to start a new career when I was nearly 70”
Born into the very early era of punk, and then raised in the difficulty of the early 1980s, I always saw fashion as a huge important element of society - a reflection of what the masses wanted to be, and in many cases what could be afforded and imagined as a result of the restriction. I still fear the stay pressed, flat fronted nylon trouser, but admire it as a part of our wonderful textiles heritage and history.
As a result this book was an amazing insight into a life that I would have loved to have lived had I the flare or basic artistic skill. Esme followed her heart and lived a rebel with a cause life, supported by so many people along the way that also shared in her enthusiasm and dreams. Fascinating if you’re a follower of the industry, but I can imagine that it’s also a really good autobiography for anyone having grown up in that same era - and some fab name drop clangs that nobody can resent along the way!
“I could have taken it easy, and continued to teach at college part time, and make costumes for the rest of the time… but where would be the jeopardy in that. I like to try new things and different things, and I think it’s wonderful that I had the opportunity to start a new career when I was nearly 70”
Born into the very early era of punk, and then raised in the difficulty of the early 1980s, I always saw fashion as a huge important element of society - a reflection of what the masses wanted to be, and in many cases what could be afforded and imagined as a result of the restriction. I still fear the stay pressed, flat fronted nylon trouser, but admire it as a part of our wonderful textiles heritage and history.
As a result this book was an amazing insight into a life that I would have loved to have lived had I the flare or basic artistic skill. Esme followed her heart and lived a rebel with a cause life, supported by so many people along the way that also shared in her enthusiasm and dreams. Fascinating if you’re a follower of the industry, but I can imagine that it’s also a really good autobiography for anyone having grown up in that same era - and some fab name drop clangs that nobody can resent along the way!
July 21, 2023
I’m a fan of Esme’s and raced through this in about a day. Despite her achievements Esme is incredibly self effacing. I remember reading about her 70’s/80’s label Swanky Modes back in the day and being so influenced by the London punk, New Romantic and new wave scenes.
Some of Esme’s stories from her childhood and particularly her own and her siblings boarding school days were hilarious. I could relate having been at boarding school.
To see Esme becoming a TV star in her 70’s and being a mentor and inspiration to sewers is really wonderful .
Some of Esme’s stories from her childhood and particularly her own and her siblings boarding school days were hilarious. I could relate having been at boarding school.
To see Esme becoming a TV star in her 70’s and being a mentor and inspiration to sewers is really wonderful .
May 30, 2022
2.5 stars.
Hmmm this wasn’t really all that well done, sorry. It sort of glossed over all the actual fashion bits I was interested in.
It also felt disconnected, we didn’t get to really know and see her, to feel any emotions. It was just a light collection of memories.
I wanted to learn more about her relationship with her mother and the effect of her passing. To delve into the hard times and the friendships. If that goes too deep then just focus solely on fashion. The sort of half and half approach left me frustrated.
Overall not great, but I do admire her.
Hmmm this wasn’t really all that well done, sorry. It sort of glossed over all the actual fashion bits I was interested in.
It also felt disconnected, we didn’t get to really know and see her, to feel any emotions. It was just a light collection of memories.
I wanted to learn more about her relationship with her mother and the effect of her passing. To delve into the hard times and the friendships. If that goes too deep then just focus solely on fashion. The sort of half and half approach left me frustrated.
Overall not great, but I do admire her.
July 25, 2022
Yes, I found my way to this book having watched, 'The Great British Sewing Bee'. I am quite nosey about people and it interests me to find out how people have arrived where they are and that's how I decided to read this book. Esme's life story is really interesting and informally told. Initially when I saw her on the TV she seemed rather 'strict' but you read about her life story and, although she is honest with people which, I guess, can come across as brusk she sounds like the most amazing, kind, loyal woman. Personally, I find her interesting because she's a woman who's never married, doesn't have children yet has created and is part of an enormous extended family she has met through her career. Personally, I think that the true essence of a person is one who has made relationships and continued those relationships for years. Also, I find it refreshing that her age is really completely and utterly irrelevant. She makes friendship with people she meets at different stages of her career and seems to have completely balanced relationships with them irrespective of age and they value one another's experience and expertise. I also loved her humanity. The fact that life is to be living and enjoyed and that new experiences are far more important that finances.
July 30, 2022
A very engaging and interesting autobiography by the Sewing Bee star. I felt, as a reader, almost as though she was sitting with me, telling her story - it's that immediate. Her own voice comes over very strongly, and she had a most interesting life: at the forefront of fashion in the 60s and 70s with her Swanky Modes, a tutor at Central St Martins, and then a judge on Sewing Bee. It's straightforwardly told, with a few chapters on sewing skills too (eg, pattern cutting which is Esme's own speciality). She's good at recognising the contribution of others to her success - not always the case in autobiographies - and it's a book I'd enjoy reading again.
It is more of a memoir than an autobiography, I would say, in that it is a chronological collection of recollections and stories (I don't think she does 'deep' - we never, for example, learn of the ways in which her mother was a 'bad mum'), but of its kind it's very good.
It is more of a memoir than an autobiography, I would say, in that it is a chronological collection of recollections and stories (I don't think she does 'deep' - we never, for example, learn of the ways in which her mother was a 'bad mum'), but of its kind it's very good.
January 3, 2023
This was a good, nice easy going read. Esme has a great attitude to life and tells some great and interesting stories about her time in the fashion industry. I think as a book it could’ve been put together a little bit better, but She’s certainly inspiring - I basically want to enrol in Central Saint Martins now and get taught my Esme…
October 4, 2023
I don't watch the sewing bee, but this was a book club choice and I enjoy a good autobiography, which this was not. A list of what things she had done and I did not consider it self effacing at all as others have described it. Lots of name dropping of who she had met, partied with etc, I was not impressed, don't feel I got to know her at all. A tedious read
September 16, 2024
Despite reading 280 pages of this autobiography I've come out of it feeling that I still don't really know the real Esme Young. She tells us a great deal about the things she's seen and done and the people she's met along the way but it's all rather superficial and matter of fact. Young never really scratches the surface of how those experiences have shaped who she is and consequently, I found this to be a rather banal, tedious read. Life changing moments such as the death of her parents or attending boarding school from an early age are mentioned rather briefly and never with any examination of how those experiences made her feel or may have affected her outlook on life. In a similar vein, there is plenty of description of the clothes she's made but we're never really sure what the inspiration for the various Swanky Modes collections were or the ideas or cultural relevance behind them. What were they looking to do here? What impact were they trying to create? What was happening at that point to cause the evolution of new designs? The reader is none the wiser.
Famous names are mentioned frequently, often with little connection to the overall story. Some people feature in rather brief and disturbing ways that bear little relevance to Young's life and this can be rather jarring at times. For example, she mentions an acquaintance rather fleetingly and then abruptly goes on to say that they were sadly murdered several years later. It's not clear why this person needed to be mentioned at all in connection with her story, and it comes across as flippant, particularly amongst the discussion of the fashion and frivolity of the 70s and 80s.
It's a shame because Young's life is clearly far from boring and she obviously has stories to tell. The emotion and humanity is what's lacking and consequently this book fails to leave the 'impact' that she's so often calling for from those she's judging on 'The Great British Sewing Bee'.
Famous names are mentioned frequently, often with little connection to the overall story. Some people feature in rather brief and disturbing ways that bear little relevance to Young's life and this can be rather jarring at times. For example, she mentions an acquaintance rather fleetingly and then abruptly goes on to say that they were sadly murdered several years later. It's not clear why this person needed to be mentioned at all in connection with her story, and it comes across as flippant, particularly amongst the discussion of the fashion and frivolity of the 70s and 80s.
It's a shame because Young's life is clearly far from boring and she obviously has stories to tell. The emotion and humanity is what's lacking and consequently this book fails to leave the 'impact' that she's so often calling for from those she's judging on 'The Great British Sewing Bee'.
July 23, 2023
Ermmmmm!
I think you would have to be a super fan to really enjoy this one.
I had no idea who Esme Young was, I got the book as I enjoy crochet, crafting and occasional sewing, and I thought there might be some good tips on sewing/clothing repairs.
Whilst Young's life has been interesting (working on film dressmaking, cool!), there is nothing stand out to make this an amazing memoir.
She comes across as a very nice lady though! Just not a book of immense value to me.
I think you would have to be a super fan to really enjoy this one.
I had no idea who Esme Young was, I got the book as I enjoy crochet, crafting and occasional sewing, and I thought there might be some good tips on sewing/clothing repairs.
Whilst Young's life has been interesting (working on film dressmaking, cool!), there is nothing stand out to make this an amazing memoir.
She comes across as a very nice lady though! Just not a book of immense value to me.
May 26, 2023
I’ve always said that when ever Esme tells a story that I bet she’s got a few crackers!
Well she does!
She has one of those lives that just seems to natural and brilliant, she met the right people in fun places and is very humble and gorgeous.
I loved the tales of being young in London in the 60s/70s and how she’s would rock up to events in these outfits she had made.
Just adored this book!
Well she does!
She has one of those lives that just seems to natural and brilliant, she met the right people in fun places and is very humble and gorgeous.
I loved the tales of being young in London in the 60s/70s and how she’s would rock up to events in these outfits she had made.
Just adored this book!
March 7, 2025
CAWPILE 6.00
3.5 STARS
Read as my Non-Fiction Pick for March 2025.
I knew of Esme from the sewing bee program but I didn't know really who she was- it turns out she's a very interesting and unusual character.
I enjoyed her story and seeing the behind the scenes of being involved in the fashion industry.
3.5 STARS
Read as my Non-Fiction Pick for March 2025.
I knew of Esme from the sewing bee program but I didn't know really who she was- it turns out she's a very interesting and unusual character.
I enjoyed her story and seeing the behind the scenes of being involved in the fashion industry.
February 20, 2023
I loved The Sewing Bee and found Esme’s book interesting and informative. What a character, the people she has worked with in the fashion and film industry was mind blowing, as well as partying with so many celebrities. She works hard and is a an amazing role model.
September 18, 2025
I love the Great British Sewing Bee show and am excited that the first ten seasons just came out for free in the US on Roku and it’s been soo much easier to watch than trying to find sketchy episodes on YouTube. I’ve been binging the seasons in reverse order starting with the ones I haven’t watched and came across info online that one of the hosts has a memoir so was excited to read it! Was super sad that my library didn’t have it and actually couldn’t find it at any bookstores in town either, so had to source it online…I’m guessing bc the show is not mainstream here.
Anyway - it was a great memoir. And gave me even more respect for her as a judge on the show. Wow, she has incredible experience and an interesting life! Minus one star bc she does get a little carried away with some non-interesting details like: I remember that time we went to a restaurant and changed our order a bunch of times and the waiter was mad. Or I remember the time we had to take 3 buses to go to a restaurant on vacation and we were tired.
Overall, I’m glad I went to the extra effort to get the book. Happy to send it to any of my Goodreads friends who are also fans of the show and want to read it as well lol.
Anyway - it was a great memoir. And gave me even more respect for her as a judge on the show. Wow, she has incredible experience and an interesting life! Minus one star bc she does get a little carried away with some non-interesting details like: I remember that time we went to a restaurant and changed our order a bunch of times and the waiter was mad. Or I remember the time we had to take 3 buses to go to a restaurant on vacation and we were tired.
Overall, I’m glad I went to the extra effort to get the book. Happy to send it to any of my Goodreads friends who are also fans of the show and want to read it as well lol.
July 28, 2022
Listened to this on audio book read by Esme herself which was great. Really enjoyed hearing about her life.
January 26, 2023
4.5 Rounded up.
What a pleasure to listen to the audiobook of this, read by Esme herself. Such an interesting life and clearly a wonderful woman, thoroughly enjoyed finding out all about her life, family and Swanky Modes!
What a pleasure to listen to the audiobook of this, read by Esme herself. Such an interesting life and clearly a wonderful woman, thoroughly enjoyed finding out all about her life, family and Swanky Modes!
March 7, 2023
Once I got into the sewing side I thoroughly enjoyed esme,s recollections
Read
March 11, 2024Esme has had a creative, fun and interesting career.
November 25, 2024
I read this in bits and pieces over months, and it was just really interesting and vibrant and I wanted to go away and look at pictures of every piece of clothing described on the page.
February 25, 2025
Interesting stories from the industry, but I wasn't overly bothered to learn about her childhood holidays!
November 17, 2025
The best of the best. If you’ve watched the Great British Sewing Bee you can hear Esme’s voice in every line of this book. A fascinating story of her life and an inspiration of the joy of living and loving what you do.
Also highly informative! I had never heard of the art/study of pattern cutting but now I want nothing more than to go to Central Saint Martin’s and study it under her tutelage.
Also highly informative! I had never heard of the art/study of pattern cutting but now I want nothing more than to go to Central Saint Martin’s and study it under her tutelage.
September 17, 2023
Charming account of a creative life
March 13, 2023
Very readable, very interesting ( and technically informative). She likes a party! Recommended.
March 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this book as a follower of the tv series Sewing Bee. It gave me a true insight of the skills and talent this lady has with her pattern designs and craft. Very humorous in parts and it brought a tv personality ( now) to life.
August 20, 2023
Like many, I was first introduced to Esme Young via the Great British Sewing Bee, where she is a judge along with Patrick Grant. While he is the dapper, sartorially precise voice of the pairing, she's always had a cheeky glint in her eye, and the occasional allusions to her past career and life made me reach for this book - I listened to her read it herself via Audible.
Her life is astonishing, from the radical fashions she created with Swanky Modes, to the daring decisions she made as a young girl living in London and enjoying the swinging 60s. There are occasional delicious moments of name dropping - she dated and moved in rockstar circles, and has designed costumes for all sorts of films - but she never cashes in on these, and is unwaveringly lovely about everyone she's met.
In fact, that's the element about her that came across so strongly in this book. She is not only innovative, courageous and radical, but she's also kind, generous and gives credit where credit is due. She teaches fashion at Central St Martin's, and declares that she learns just as much from her students as they do from her. She's humble too - she lives in a Peabody housing association house, and works well into her twilight years because she never sorted out a pension, and has been so generous with her money. But this generosity has come back to her too, as she gleefully tells of being taken on incredible trips overseas, and huge parties with friends to celebrate significant birthdays.
I'm so glad I've delved deeper into Esme's life with this book, it makes the Sewing Bee even more enjoyable. And it's a brilliant glimpse into the life of someone born in her era with an eye for fashion.
Her life is astonishing, from the radical fashions she created with Swanky Modes, to the daring decisions she made as a young girl living in London and enjoying the swinging 60s. There are occasional delicious moments of name dropping - she dated and moved in rockstar circles, and has designed costumes for all sorts of films - but she never cashes in on these, and is unwaveringly lovely about everyone she's met.
In fact, that's the element about her that came across so strongly in this book. She is not only innovative, courageous and radical, but she's also kind, generous and gives credit where credit is due. She teaches fashion at Central St Martin's, and declares that she learns just as much from her students as they do from her. She's humble too - she lives in a Peabody housing association house, and works well into her twilight years because she never sorted out a pension, and has been so generous with her money. But this generosity has come back to her too, as she gleefully tells of being taken on incredible trips overseas, and huge parties with friends to celebrate significant birthdays.
I'm so glad I've delved deeper into Esme's life with this book, it makes the Sewing Bee even more enjoyable. And it's a brilliant glimpse into the life of someone born in her era with an eye for fashion.
October 14, 2023
Quite boring, lots of name dropping, not a lot about sewing. I didn't make it to the end. Glad I didn't pay for this and instead had a month free on BookBeat. I still love The Great British Sewing Bee though.
September 11, 2022
I just love memoirs written by people who aren't writers by trade because they're so fun and easy to read. I really just had such an insanely good time with this book. The way it was written felt like I was just listening to Esme tell me stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews