Esme Young reveals why she founded her iconic fashion brand, Swanky Modes
Esme Young isn't just a judge on the Great British Sewing Bee, she's also a huge fashion icon in her own right. She started fashion brand Swanky Modes with three friends, and we were fascinated to hear its origin story, which she revealed earlier this week.
In a video posted on the Sewing Bee Instagram account, Esme talked through how she discovered her love of sewing and went on to create the hugely successful fashion brand, Swanky Modes.
Esme launched Swanky Modes as a designer collective with three of her female friends, Judy Dewsbery, Melanie Langer and Jeanette Beckham, in Camden Town, London in the 1970s.
Their designs appeared in the pages of Vogue and were photographed by iconic photographers David Bailey and Helmut Newton.
In the video, Esme talks through how she discovered dressmaking. She says: "I got into sewing at school. When I was a teenager, I made my mum a fancy dress outfit, which was a superhero. I've got a fabulous picture of her wearing the outfit, dancing. It's absolutely fantastic."
She went on to explain how she started Swanky Modes with three friends, saying: "When we left college, we decided to open a shop, because we couldn't buy anything we wanted to wear in shops, so we made whatever we wanted to wear.
"What inspired us was each other. It was very, very unusual and still is for four women to open a fashion business, because normally there is a man involved and we just went for it."
Esme also offered some insight into how they made some of the most iconic Swanky Modes pieces, explaining: "We were one of the first people to use Lycra for garments. Before it had always been used for sportswear. But we made it into sexy dresses."
The Sewing Bee judge finished the video by imparting some invaluable advice to anyone wanting a career in fashion. She said: "The words of wisdom I give to people starting out in the fashion industry is go for it. Don't worry about making mistakes.
"I'm one of those people who never says no. I just think, let's take the risk. Let's see what happens."
Fans were quick to comment how inspiring they found Esme's words, and that they loved her Swanky Modes brand. @twobeesbecca commented: "You are an inspiration, Esme and wholly adored for your passion and your sense of humour" and @mama_x_fi commented: "She is an absolute treasure!"
We can't wait to watch Esme judge the final of the Sewing Bee alongside Patrick Grant – finalists Pascha, Luke and Ailsa are battling it out for the much-coveted trophy.
The final of The Great British Sewing Bee is on Wednesday 23 July at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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