Behind the Scenes at Paris Prints: My First Textile Print Fair Experience
There’s something quietly surreal about standing next to your own work at a print fair.
Not in a “big launch, spotlight moment” kind of way – but in a grounded, human way. Your prints displayed for clients. Presented by your own name. And people you’ve never met before stopping…looking…connecting and buying.
Paris Prints was one of those experiences that stays with you not because everything went perfectly, but because it showed me what exhibiting actually feels like – beyond the highlight reel.
This was me at Paris Prints. That image captures a version of me that feels very honest – proud, a little tired, and very present.
What It Was Really Like Exhibiting My Work at Paris Prints
Being part of Paris Prints meant stepping into a space where my work wasn’t just something I’d created in private anymore – it was public. Visible. Open to interpretation.
There were moments of excitement, moments of nerves, and moments of calm observation. Watching people move through the space. Seeing which prints drew them in first. Hearing them talk about colour, texture, and feeling – sometimes when they didn’t realise I was standing right there.
A Closer Look at My Print Collections
These collections came together for AW26/27 and SS27. Developed with mood and trend boards as well as hand-paintings worked further on in Photoshop and Illustrator.
Some prints are quieter, designed to sit gently in a space. Others are bolder – meant to be noticed, to anchor a wall, to spark conversation. Every piece was chosen with care, from the artwork itself to how it was printed and displayed.
Seeing them all together, outside of my studio, gave me a completely new perspective on the collection.
Prints I’d second-guessed suddenly made sense. Others surprised me with how strongly people responded to them.
That’s something you don’t get when your work only lives online.
Collaborating With Designers and Illustrators at Paris Prints
One of the highlights of Paris Prints representing work from other Designers and Illustrators within my studio.
A heartfelt thank you to:
Réjane Gosson
- Johanna Rose
Lorena Chandler
Kaia Allbritton
Their collections and artwork added depth and contrast to the overall experience. Seeing different styles coexist – and complement each other – was a reminder that creative work needs to be shown ans every print is individual and special.
Three Things I Learned From My First Textile & Print Exhibition
Looking back, there are three takeaways that keep coming up for me – especially if you’re thinking about exhibiting your work for the first time.
1. Your first exhibition is different than you think
Before Paris Prints, I had an idea in my head of how it would feel. More dramatic. More nerve-wracking. More “big moment”.
In reality, it was quieter – and in many ways, more meaningful.
It wasn’t about instant validation or selling out. It was about being there. Having conversations. Letting the work live in a physical space and trusting that was enough.
2. In-person feedback is more valuable than you realise
Online feedback is great – but nothing compares to watching someone respond to your work in real time.
The pauses. The expressions. The questions they ask. The pieces they return to for a second look.
That kind of feedback is layered and nuanced. It tells you things analytics never will. And it’s incredibly grounding as a creative.
3. Everything comes together differently than planned
Not everything went exactly how I imagined – and that turned out to be a good thing.
Some things flowed more easily than expected. Others required letting go of control and adapting in the moment. The experience reminded me that creative work rarely follows a straight line – and that flexibility is part of the process, not a failure of it.
Why Showing Print Collections Matters
Behind-the-scenes moments like Paris Prints don’t just mark milestones – they shape what comes next.
They help you see your work more clearly. They reconnect you with why you started. And they remind you that showing up – imperfectly, honestly – is often the real win.
This experience wasn’t about perfection. It was about presence. And that’s something I’ll carry forward into whatever I create next.
View My Latest Fashion Print Collection
Book a call to view my latest print collection online here:
👉 https://calendly.com/siobhan-bradfield/call
Whether you’re browsing, collecting, or simply curious, I’d love for you to take a look.