London

Impress your mum with a perfect present, choose from unique clothes, perfume and toileteries, fine food, jewellery or homewares and interiors

Cotton to cashmere to haute couture: Feathers
This spacious boutique is a browser’s paradise, with a laid-back vibe and a huge mix of unusual pieces. The globe-spanning stock embraces tailoring by Italian Maurizio Pecoraro, customised cashmere sweaters by LA label Claudette and the romantic, delicate creations of French designer Anne Valérie Hash.

The joy of this place is the fact that lesser-known lines, such as English Weather’s charming hand-knits, sit alongside big-league pieces by Givenchy and Etro, by way of new-generation stars Rick Owens and Alexander McQueen. There is a tendency towards unusual fabrics, often with an ethnic flavour – owner Suzanne Burstein recently commissioned a limited-edition cache of tailored coats and throws in vintage Indian printed cotton. Accessories are strong – Gianni Barbato’s embellished, distressed leather boots are always hot sellers and Burstein sniffs out unusual bags, belts and scarves on her buying trips.

Feathers, 42 Hans Crescent, SW1 0LZ (7589 5802). Knightsbridge tube.
Open 10am-7pm Mon-Sat; noon-6pm Sun. Credit AmEx MC, V. Feature continues

Floris' Florissa range

Elegant frangrances, lotions and potions: Floris
The original Jermyn Street shop remains an elegant setting since opening in 1730. This barber shop for the well-heeled has provided fragrances, fine toileteries and accessories to an incredibly loyal customer base; Ian Flemming was a regular, their archives hold letters from the likes of Florence Nightingale and, when in town, Sharon Stone likes to pop in. Now run by the eighth generation of Floris folk the extensive range of products has moved with the times yet remains quintiessentially British with beautifully packaged perfumed stock. The ladies range offers elegant bouquets for every boudoir, from fresh floral fragrances to clean cut classics. ‘English garden’ scent Florissa, combines rose, lily of the valley, jasmine and iris with amber and spices and comes in a pretty eau de toilette atomiser (£24.50). As well as perfumes there is a large selection of lotions, potions, powders and creams, a completely organic 'naturals' range (from £13.50) and first-rate scented candles, a steal at £23.50.

Floris, 89 Jermyn St, SWIY 6JH (7930 2885/ www.florislondon.co.uk). Green Park or Piccadilly Circus tube. Open 9.30am-6pm Mon-Fri; 10am-6pm Sat. Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V.

Gourmet grotto: Fortnum and Mason

The Foodhall at Fortnum and Mason

In 1707, shopkeeper Hugh Mason and his lodger William Fortnum – a footman in the household of Queen Anne – opened a grocer’s in Piccadilly. The relationship paved the way for 300 years of royal custom and in preparation for its 2007 tercentenary the grand old dame is having a major nip and tuck. Fortnum’s famed food hall can get as packed as a tin of Portuguese Sardines Picante (£2.25), but as part of a £24 million refurbishment the section has expanded into the basement, linked by a central, glass-domed lightwell cut through from the second floor.

The food hall’s two floors are roughly split into sweet and savoury: confectionery, biscuits, jams and preserves, coffee and tea remain at street level, along with a new bakery, while downstairs you’ll now find counters for fresh meat, game and fish and traiteur dishes prepared by on-site chefs. Packaging has gradually been sensitively modernised in keeping with Fortnum’s Georgian heritage and the contents have been updated as well, with an upgraded range of preserves, honeys and condiments, many of them made to new F&M recipes by small suppliers.

Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER (7734 8040/ www.fortnumandmason.co.uk). Green Park or Piccadilly Circus tube.
Open 10am-6.30pm Mon-Sat; noon-6pm Sun (food hall only). Credit AmEx, DC, MC