Behind the SeamsBehind the Seams

To any self-respecting sewing fan, Esme Young needs no introduction. The diminutive judge of The Great British Sewing Bee has a sharp eye for a wonky seam, and an even sharper eye for a good necklace. Her life, in many ways, is the story of post-war Britain. Born in 1949, she spent her childhood mostly outside and very much unsupervised. She discovered sewing aged 7, and a passion was born. As a teenager, she made her way to London and Central St Martins, when her life truly began. Living in a squat with other young creatives, Esme made the most of the creative hey day '70s and '80s: watching Notting Hill Carnival with David Bowie, starting a clothing line called Swanky Modes with three friends and 50 quid each. The '90s saw another career move, this one into costumes for films such as 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, too late or too soon to pick up a needle and start stitching in a new direction.