Exceptional design and innovation are thriving at these Islington boutiques, each encouraging creativity and offering a personal touch. Visit these extraordinary boutiques and avoid run of the mill purchases, from craft hubs to homewares, gifts, couture and jewellery

1 Crafts Council
 On 2 April the Crafts Council – as one of the BBC Get Creative Champions – encouraged craft makers, studios, and professionals to open their doors and encourage the public to get creative for free. Last December they held Hey Clay! to coincide with the Great Pottery Throw Down, pay them a visit and discover creative talents you never even knew you had.
44a Pentonville Road N1 9BY; 020 7806 2500; craftscouncil.org.uk

Create your own bespoke piece at Crafts Council

2 Home & Pantry
We are huge fans of this Aladdin’s cave of a shop, run with such passion by Jenny Hughes. If you are looking for a truly distinctive gift for someone special, or a unique design for the home, make sure you check out this place for inspiration. What’s more, they now stock Annie Sloan paints and with all staff trained to use them properly, they are passing on their knowledge to us!
114 Islington High St N1 8EG; 020 7226 9528; homeandpantry.com

Home & Pantry is a fantastical cave of hidden gems and inspiration

3 Ariella
Founded back in the 1960s, the North London-based Ariella design team, led by founder Achilleas Constantinou, have created red carpet dresses for countless celebrities including the late Princess Diana, Naomi Watts, Michelle Rodriguez and many more. If you are interested to know how red carpet fashion has evolved over the years, then Constantinou is your man – and you can also take away your very own piece of glamour in their latest S/S16 range.
See more of their work, and what’s to come, at ariella.com

Ariella is a VIP and celebrity favourite

4 Peter Werth
Born in Islington in 1975, Peter Werth has now been part of the menswear landscape for 40 years and has become synonymous with great British design, high quality modern clothing, footwear and accessories. From its foundations in knitwear during the early days, the Peter Werth collection has evolved through into shoes, accessories and tailoring.
peterwerth.co.uk

Peter Werth has been in Islington for over 30 years

5 Stephen Einhorn
A popular feature on Upper Street for many years, Stephen Einhorn’s Islington shop has now had a rather stunning redesign to make going in even more enticing. Creator of unique pieces of designer jewellery, the new layout shows his work in the best light possible, which will solve any purchasing needs, from engagement and wedding rings, through to Einhorn’s truly distinctive skull jewellery.
201 Upper Street N1 1RL; 020 7359 4977; stepheneinhorn.co.uk

An Upper Street star, Stephen Einhorn offers distinctive, premium pieces