London for design

If you're looking for something special, hand-made and off the beaten track, London has some exciting new boutiques. Newly opened Family Tree in Exmouth Market stocks designs by talented young designers that you may see at Spitalfields. This time without the stalls or the congestion.

Another boutique, Beyond the Valley, was set up Central Saint Martins designers Jo Jackson, Kate Harwood and Krisriana Williams. When they realised their graduation collection was being bought of the racks, they decided to set up shop (a not-for-profit organisation to no high mark-ups) selling a wider mix of student fare. The one-offs they stock are from a selection of over 100 young designer.

For all things hand-made head to Hand in West London, W11. Here you will find unique pieces sourced from around the world by owners Gail Arnold and Susannah Baker-Smith.

Family Tree, 53 Exmouth Market, EC1 (020 7287 1084) Beyond the Valley, 26 Ganton St, W1 (020 7437 7338) Hand, 11 Colville Mews, W11 (020 7792 1292)