Behind the Seams: The perfect gift for fans of The Great British Sewing Bee

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Such an interesting life and clearly a wonderful woman, thoroughly enjoyed finding out all about her life, family and Swanky Modes! Personally, I think that the true essence of a person is one who has made relationships and continued those relationships for years. She is not only innovative, courageous and radical, but she's also kind, generous and gives credit where credit is due.

I love the Sewing Bee and I love Esme's eagle-eyed critiques of the clothes, and the fun relationship she has with Patrick. 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. It brings back memories of wonderful, creative times in London — our friend's final fashion degree, endless parties, and unique people we met. 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. 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.

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 .

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! The fact that life is to be living and enjoyed and that new experiences are far more important that finances.Some of Esme’s stories from her childhood and particularly her own and her siblings boarding school days were hilarious.