I'm so glad I've delved deeper into Esme's life with this book, it makes the Sewing Bee even more enjoyable. 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. 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. She is not only innovative, courageous and radical, but she's also kind, generous and gives credit where credit is due.

Her work has been featured in a range of magazines and newspapers including Vogue , ID , The Face , The Sunday Times and so much more. Esme is over 70 now and has lived a fascinating and creative life, there’s just not enough pages for her to go into great depth but gives you just enough. To see Esme becoming a TV star in her 70’s and being a mentor and inspiration to sewers is really wonderful . 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 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. 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. The style of writing was also all over the place that I started to loose interest and finally gave up. Esme is clearly a private person, despite some funny shocking reveals, she still so vividly depicts Central Saint Martin, friendship, and work passion. Like many, I was first introduced to Esme Young via the Great British Sewing Bee, where she is a judge along with Patrick Grant.

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. Esme is an inspiration, not just because of her career, but also in the way she is 100% her authentic self - what you see is what you get, zero f’s given! 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. 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. Personally, I think that the true essence of a person is one who has made relationships and continued those relationships for years.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. Her whole life has revolved around fashion and creativity and her enthusiasm for her subject leaps out of her autobiography. 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.

I love The sewing Bee, and love Esme Young who is a judge on the program, but the book was disappointing. 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.A romp through fashion and stars from the sixties to current day Esme has met and made for the best. Such an interesting life and clearly a wonderful woman, thoroughly enjoyed finding out all about her life, family and Swanky Modes! Hubby bought me Esme Young’s autobiography for my birthday as she always has such interesting snippets of stories dropped in the TV show (like sitting in a window with David Bowie) and I was keen to learn more about her career.

The material is squandered - interesting detail about the times and personalities is given no more weight than the vast amount of family detail. I found that the need for sewing tips should have been put at the back of the book instead of in between the chapters.Esme has a great attitude to life and tells some great and interesting stories about her time in the fashion industry.