Kim Whyte is the designer behind colourful Irish stationery brand Pawpear. Having previously worked as a stationery designer in London for over a decade, Whyte established the brand in 2022, and her products are now stocked in over 70 stores across Ireland and beyond. 

Tell us about your brand?

Pawpear is an Irish stationery brand creating colourful, sustainable and beautifully illustrated paper goods inspired by Ireland’s landscapes, language and culture. Designed and made in Ireland, our collections include greeting cards, writing sets and art prints that combine design originality with sustainable Irish manufacturing. 

How did you get started in this business?

I established the brand to bring to life a lifelong fascination with paper, design and meaningful connection. I spent over a decade working in London as a stationery designer, and later led a design team at a global not-for-profit, before identifying a gap in the market on my return to Ireland for premium, Irish-made stationery that combined strong design with a sense of place and story. 

Where do you get your inspiration?

Every Pawpear product begins with an original illustration inspired by Ireland’s natural beauty and cultural heritage - from native wildflowers to coastal landscapes and Celtic traditions. My love of the Irish language, my connection to the land, the colours and places that have shaped me - all of that finds its way into the work. 

What are your brand values?

Irish made: Our products are hand-illustrated in our Co. Waterford studio and produced locally with Irish suppliers.

Ireland inspired: Our products are shaped by Ireland’s land, language and lore.

Sustainably sourced: We print on paper from responsibly managed forests, with minimal waste.

Made to be shared: Our products are designed to encourage meaningful human connection. 

What do you like most about what you do?

Every part of Pawpear is a love letter to Ireland. What I love most is telling its stories through shape and colour - and knowing that each piece will one day carry a handwritten message from one person to another.

Is this your first time exhibiting at Showcase Ireland?

2026 will be my third year to exhibit at Showcase.

What advice would you give to first time exhibitors? 

Showcase is an international stage and an incredible opportunity to put your brand in front of buyers. Treat your stand like your shop - every detail, from wall colour to display should tell the story of who you are and what you stand for. 

Where are your products currently stocked?

Pawpear is stocked in over 70 shops across Ireland and beyond including the Guinness Storehouse, Kilkenny Design and EPIC.

Is sustainability an important aspect of your business?

Absolutely. Sustainability isn’t an add-on for us - it’s woven into how we create and produce. All materials are responsibly sourced, packaging is PEFC-certified, plastic-free and locally made. Surplus and phased-out products are donated to parents, schools and charities, while rewilding contributions help Pawpear give back to the land that fuels its creativity and inspiration. 

What's new for Showcase 2026? 

I have just announced the launch of Winged Creatures, an exclusive stationery and print collection created in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, home of the world-famous Book of Kells. Commissioned by Trinity College Dublin, the Winged Creatures collection is a contemporary interpretation of the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells, widely regarded as Ireland’s greatest cultural  treasure. The range brings this ancient masterpiece, with its vivid colours and intricate patterns, into everyday life through greeting cards, prints and a writing set and I am proud to share this range with visitors to Showcase in January.  

Find Pawpear at Stand C86 in the DCCI Area.