McQueens

Graydon Carter might have forgotten to invite you to the Vanity Fair post-Oscars party this year, but pop along to McQueens and you can at least see the sort of designs that Hollywood’s power elite had as their backdrop. Drop-dead gorgeous arrangements are prepared on site by impossibly glamorous students studying at this floristry school. The shop and school is very Old Street industrial chic, softened with exquisite window displays. There’s usually an enormous range of stems that can be hand tied into a bunch, with the glamourpusses – strelitzia, protea et al – alongside the more stolid natives, such as molucella (bells of Ireland) and hydrangea. Basically, for glamorous flowers, this is the place to call. Well regarded for showstopping event and wedding floristry (as well as for its adjoining school), McQueens is perfect for a polished, smart bouquet for your discerning loved one.