There is something about doing a show that is exciting but scary all at the same time and it doesn't matter if it is the first time or the tenth time you have done it.

The shows are often booked nine months ahead and the planning can start well before, even 6 months ahead. Questions such as what type of look do I want and do I need any new exhibition display to create that look? Do I have enough stock and if I don’t – well don’t just sit around, get a move on a make it. How do I get there and where do I stay if it is far from home? Have I filled in all the forms for Health and Safety, electricity supply, drop off and build up times, broadband supply and last but not least do I want lunches supplied?

The travel with early starts, long miles on the road and then the building of the stand which can mean painting, drilling, hammering, ladder work, crawling work and all round huffing and puffing.

The stress of all of this is then completely forgotten when I am on the stand busy chatting to other exhibitors exchanging news and hints on where to exhibit next year but more importantly chatting to customers about my work and looking at someone wearing something that I have created and that they “get it” - why I design what I design and why I am passionate about what I do.

Bring on 2015