That’s Not My Age Podcast: Fashion Queen and Sewing Bee Judge Esme Young
Image: BBC / Love Productions
She’s been top of the That’s Not My Age podcast guest list for ages and so I am absolutely delighted to introduce the multi-talented fashion expert, lecturer and Great British Sewing Bee judge Esme Young. The 72-year-old presenter whose style inspires women of all ages, had been proving fashionably elusive, but then all of a sudden everything fell into place. Hooray. Not elusive at all, just busy sharing her style know-how. This is the first podcast Esme has ever recorded – but one thing emphasised throughout our conversation is that she never shies away from a new challenge.
Aged seven when she made her first garment at school, a hand-sewn red gathered skirt, she’s had an extraordinary career in sewing and fashion design ever since. In this podcast episode, Esme joins me to talk about her career highlights – from launching Swanky Modes with three friends in the early 1980s, a fashion label beloved by celebrities such as Julie Christie, Grace Jones and Viv Albertine; to creating iconic costumes for films including The Beach and Bridget Jones’ Diary. We discuss how she found moving into a television career in her seventies and what it’s like to work alongside the comedian Joe Lycett and TNMA favourite Patrick Grant on The Great British Sewing Bee. We talk about how she’s been spending lockdown, what she likes to do in her free time and I had to ask her about hanging out with David Bowie at Notting Hill Carnival! In her other day job, Esme inspires a new generation of creators as a pattern-cutting tutor at Central Saint Martin’s College.
Plus, of course we touch on Esme’s superb sense of style, penchant for bold necklaces and how she maintains that immaculate haircut.
Esme’s hand sanitiser bottle necklace
I really loved recording this episode. Esme is a star. Super-cool, stylish, self-assured and funny, too. She loves a G&T and a proper roast dinner – and is currently researching a book and exhibition called Exploding Fashion (stay tuned for updates). I hope you enjoy the podcast.
Tune into The Great British Sewing Bee every Wednesday at 9pm or BBC1 or catch up on the episodes here.
We’re all inspired by Esme the Fashion Queen:
Listen here:
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PODCAST LINKS
Listen to the podcast on Spotify HERE
Listen to Apple Podcasts HERE
Please, please rate, review and subscribe, to help more listeners to find the podcast.
We’re also on Stitcher, Podtail, Poddtoppen, and Google Podcasts.
PODCAST CREDITS
Producer and audio engineer: Linda Ara-Tebaldi
Host: Alyson Walsh
Guest: Esme Young
Music: David Schweitzer
Artwork: Ayumi Takahashi
Coordinator: Helen Johnson
*Due to the pandemic the That’s Not My Age podcast is now recorded using a web-based application on my computer. It is odd not being in a room with someone, not seeing a person’s facial expression or knowing if they’re about to continue talking…But it also means we can go global!
Discussion (26 Comments)
Mrs Tonia says:
I’m sure the new technology won’t marr your enthusiastic dialogue and pertinent questioning of your guests. I say this based on your back catalogue. Always a good listen especially when too fatigued for tv or reading.
Thanks Mrs Tonia – I’m feeling quite fatigued myself & really appreciate your feedback.
I didn’t know Esme was one of Swanky Modes .
I still have one of their tops, a cropped sleeveless blouse that I bought from their shop in Camden in the mid 80s. My studio was in Kentish Town in those days .
It is white cotton at the front and sheer organza at the back. It’s still occasionally worn by the daughters . I’ll have to show it to you Aly next time we meet. xxVal Stevenson says:
I had a Swanky Modes boiler suit with a fake fur collar and I loved it more than life itself!
Jane says:
Ooh def looking forward to this! I LOVE the sewing bee, all of it, but especially Esme and Patrick.
Esme is fabulously funny and droll.. hoping to pick up some necklace tips from the podcast.
Thanks AlysonJulie Bowland says:
Hi Alyson, this is my first experience of a Podcast and I loved it! I’m an avid watcher of Sewing Bee and a big fan of Esme. After a long time following you, it was lovely to hear your voice, it’s always weird putting a voice to the image, or vice versa, it wasn’t the voice I hear in your books, is that a thing hearing a voice from the written page? It was lovely, so relaxed just like two people having a really interesting chat, I shall be tuning into more!
Ah thank you, Julie. That’s good to know. I wanted it to be a ‘slow podcast’ and to feel like a chat between friends. And there’s plenty more in the back catalogue to listen to! Maybe, as you’re a Sewing Bee fan, Patrick Grant should be next…
Donna says:
What a wonderful interview – I really enjoyed listening to you an Esme chatting. I make my own clothes and am a big fan of the sewing bee so was very interested to hear Esme’s take on things.
Kelly Glen says:
I have never listened to a podcast before but seeing you had Esme Young as a guest I thought I would have a listen. What a friendly women she is and it was interesting to hear all the things she has achieved in her life. She is an inspiration to us all. I shall definitely listen to your podcast from now on.
Thank you so much for this, I’ve really enjoyed listening to you both today. Absolutely love Esme, she is such a style icon.
Sharon Blanchard says:
I Absolutely loved this podcast ! Really interesting and a joy to listen to.
mrsglimmer says:
Esme is a superb guest for your podcast. Despite barely being able to sew on a button, I love to watch The Sewing Bee. Esme, Patrick and Joe are a great team and some of the exchanges between Esme and Joe are hilarious! I think her style is wonderful – never without a pocket……
She sounds great company and I’m sure the two of you would enjoy another chat over a G&T – or three!Merryn Smith says:
This was the first podcast I had listened to, as well. Highly enjoyable discussion! Esme is a delight – so enjoy her on GBSB. Thank you & will be tuning in for more of your podcasts.
Julie Christey says:
Loved this podcast enlightening age is just a number in your head xxx
Love you girls GnTs all roundCarole says:
Loved listening to Esme. So interesting….and she never had to write a CV….until Sewing Bee. I’m a terrible sewer but loved fashion drawing, and the history of fashion. I’ve always wanted to be stylish, even now.
Fiona Haughey says:
This was the first one I have listened to and I found Esme really, really encouraging. I am now 70 and am tired of people assuming that I will sit down and knit now! In my forties, having had 6 children, I decided to go back to university and do what I wanted – become an archaeologist, getting a 1st class degree and then a PhD. I work in the UK as well as in the Near East, in spite of the many comments I still get about why I should stay at home. Happy? Yes. Close to my children/grandchildren? Yes. Love it!!
amanda nicoll says:
really enjoyed your chat with esme. i also love the sewing bee but sadly cant sew for toffee. it was funny hearing you speaking. your voice was higher than id imagined and also you seemed a lot less serious than id imagined. i think its because, as youve said, you aren’t that comfortable in front of the camera so you’re not super relaxed when you are modelling an outfit. you always look fabulous tho! im the same, i dont like a camera on me….that was one of my big wedding day stresses, getting my photo taken by the formal photographer! keep up the good work, v glad ive found your work!xx
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this episode with Esme tonight. All the naughty chuckling and obvious rapport.
I admire her openness and willingness to try new things. Exploding Fashion sounds great. Both the book and the exhibition. Hope they appear here too in some form not just Antwerp.
When she spoke about the cross influence of Vionnet, Kimonos and Comme des Garçons 1980s design it took me back to the Vionnet exhibition at the Musee des Arts Deco I saw, Japanese Fashion design at the Barbican. And the wonderful Kimonos at V and A alongside the new square cut Parisian fashions of the 1910s and 20s. So many positive memories of things seen.
Thanks for this one Alyson.Really enjoyed listening to this podcast Alyson – thank you. I taught myself to sew as a teenager in the early seventies as my Mum wouldn’t buy me the the clothes I wanted (fair enough!). I’s been something that I’ve always been able to rely on for a special outfit (especially when I’ve been skint) and I’ve always delighted in making a garment that no one else has. Esme is a particular heroine of mine. Even more so now as I’ve been wavering about a large design project that has come my way and I’m wavering no more. I’m going for it.
And as for huge stash of fabric – I bet I could give Esme a run for her money!
Gail Frankoski says:
I’ve finally had the time to listen to this podcast. I have been sewing since I was a young teen and have become a “fabric junkie” as an adult. So like Esme, I have a wonderful stash of fabrics accumulated over the years from my travels. I also tend to look for interesting fabrics in tablecloths, napkins, table runners, blouses, etc. when I travel. They give me extra pleasure to use because they bring back memories. They also tend to be easy souvenirs to pack. Thank you for this absolutely delightful interview.
Only just listened to this Alyson, loved it. Didn’t know Esme was part of Swanky Modes as I know Judy in Hastings!! Great to hear of someone so enthusiastic and energetic in her 70’s and her relationship with her students.
Ann Lorraine Hughes says:
Fantastic. So enjoyed hearing about Esme’s life journey and how she became famous when most people go into OAP mode! Thanks goodness nowadays there are role models like her that make you realise life is not over at 70 !
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Great choice of guest for the new podcast Alyson. I’m a keen viewer of Sewing Bee and of Esme Young on it.
Looking forward to listening to this one and providing feedback.