As a traditional Chinese art form, paper-cutting dates back around 2,000 years, to when Cai Lun, an official in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), invented paper.

She was 28, and a student, but her first foray into paper-cutting for a school assignment had made a talent scout exclaim that it was an artistic expression that British people had not seen before.

Emily got into paper cutting at art college, where she chose printed textile design over fine art. “I thought at least I’d come out of college with a practical skill,” she laughs.

Andy Williams, creative director of Vamanos Creative, was executive producer on the project, which involved paper-cut illustrator Jared Schorr making everything you see by hand. The scenes have been ...