Hot on the Highstreet Week 181

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“Katie Hillier’s quirky jewellery, finely crafted accessories, and coveted handbags regularly adorn the runways for some of fashion’s most respected and influential designers and luxury houses. Consultant to Victoria Beckham, Joseph and Asprey and, most recently, appointed Creative Director of Marc By Marc Jacobs, her strong design aesthetic has been dubbed, ‘Luxury with a wink’.

HILLIER, Katie’s singular jewellery and hair accessories brand, sees this expressed in its quintessential form. Continuing Katie’s unmistakable style, which combines excellence in craftsmanship with a generous amount of cheeky spirit, HILLIER launched with a fine jewellery collection of unique 18-carat animal pendant paperclips and luxury hair accessories shaped into darling, playful woodland creatures. Within a short space of time these British Treasures were spotted adorning celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Alexa Chung and appearing in the glossy pages of Katie’s favourite magazines and newspapers.”

The jewellery is playful and pretty, made of the highest quality materials. My favourite pieces are the ‘doodle-like’ animal necklaces. This unique collection of animal pendant paperclips are 18-carat gold wire twists shaped into cheeky woodland creatures. The signature Hillier Bunny has established itself as a brand icon and here Bunny is joined by a set of quintessentially British friends; Squirrel, Bambi, Snail and Bumble Bee are all hand-crafted artisanal pieces, each set with a diamond eye available in a rainbow of colours. Continuing on with my alphabet obsession, I have to also mention the fab alphabet paperclip necklaces, the perfect personalised present for someone special.

Those who favour simpler, classic jewellery will love the dainty ‘Pretty rings’ available in 18ct Gold with colour diamonds accenting the delicate ring.

The Hillier range is great for all ages, a touch of luxury for a young girl, or a sparkle of playful youth for the older customer.

See the whole range, prices, and shop online here: www.hillierlondon.com

Four Seasons Milano

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The Four Seasons hotel group is unlike any other, with each property drawing upon the history of the building and the city, creating truly inimitable hotels. The Four Seasons Milano is the perfect example of this, housed in a 15th century former convent, the hotel’s immaculate restoration incorporates all the historical detailing into its chic Italian design.

Located in the “rectangle of gold”, it counts Chanel, Prada and Armani as its fashionable neighbours and this hotel emulates the haute couture style with ease and charm. Positioned on the quiet Via Gesu, the entrance is more understated than that of its foreign counterparts. Discreet and delectable, it is the perfect hotel for those wishing to shop till they drop, or for tourists keen to see the main sights.

The open-plan main lobby encourages guests and visitors to stay, sit, chat and enjoy a drink. We sipped coffee whilst admiring the restored granite pillars and the aged fragments of frescoes, beautifully reminiscent of this building’s precious past.

There are 118 guest rooms and suites arranged through three interconnecting buildings. The design is very much dependent on the original features, consequently every room is individual. Our room was refined with classic characteristics and imaginative touches displayed in the thoughtful artwork and furniture choices. It was decorated in shades of green and pale ochre, with Fortuny fabrics, Frette linen and custom-designed sycamore burl and pearwood cabinetry. We enjoyed reading in our cosy sofa seating area which is found in all rooms. From our bed, we had great views of the luscious courtyard.

Our bathroom was rather more dark and moody, Carrera marble clad with heated floors and steam resistant mirrors. I enjoyed the big bath and shower facilities, and especially noticed the quirky lighting that lined the main mirror. Toiletries were disappointingly average, however I did find out that the upper-end rooms have designer products.

All rooms have expansive walk-in wardrobes, which is particularly necessary considering most guests are here to take advantage of this shoppers’ paradise.

With the latest renovation underway, breakfast and other meals were served in the downstairs dining room, while Le Veranda is closed. Despite the big buffet on display, the chef was happy to be completely at our disposal each morning, kindly whipping up our favourite French toast recipe. It was absolutely delicious. On our second day the staff fulfilled our slightly out of the ordinary requirements, providing and setting up an impressive feast very early in the morning.

Our evening meal was a hearty Italian experience, Sergio Mei excelling in the kitchen; the menu was so tempting we couldn’t resist trying the traditional four courses. Highlights included seasonal courgette flowers with soft cheese and fresh tomato sauce, it was subtly seasoned, wonderfully fresh and light. We still fondly remember the indulgent pasta dishes – ravioli with smoked scamorza cheese, and conchiglie pasta with beef ragu and chanterelle mushrooms. It is not often I eat pasta without the need for a large helping of parmesan, however these two recipes were perfectly executed and needed no additional flavouring. The meat dishes were intensely aromatic, the thyme-roasted loin of lamb was a favourite of ours.

Desserts were served from a trolley, not dissimilar to the dim sum restaurants you find in Chinatown! We tried two of the more decorative options, they were rich and very sweet, but nothing special.

In a city where fashion, luxury and style thrive, Four Seasons Milano encapsulates the glamorous culture and lifestyle perfectly. If you manage to book a room (they are very popular), I’m sure you and your shopping bags will feel very much at home here!

More information and book here: www.fourseasons.com/milan/

Il Palagio, Four Seasons, Florence

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Refined and ravishing, the Four Seasons Florence is perhaps the most dazzling of the Four Seasons properties I have visited. Before entering Il Palagio, the Michelin-starred hotel restaurant, we had time to take a peek at the palatial central courtyard and the luscious flower-filled gardens.

The resplendent dining room was empty when we sat down for an early dinner but soon filled up with couples celebrating special occasions. Lilac roses adorned the tables, chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and impressive paintings covered the walls.

Upon settling down at our table, we were presented with glasses of Ca’del Bosco, a lovely bubbly from Erbusco, which served as the perfect aperitivo.

Iberico de Bellota ham Joselito ‘Gran Reserva’ was an unconventional choice in a top Italian restaurant but we couldn’t resist trying a plate of this superior cured meat. It didn’t disappoint, presented with wonderfully ripe green figs.

‘Bollito’ beef salad with frisée and roasted peppers cream was a very authentic and traditional recipe, made from slow-cooked beef. The meat was richly flavoured and paired with a light red pepper dressing, it didn’t look particularly appetising but it tasted divine.

Ravioli is my all time favourite dish and on Italian menus it is what I look for first. After discovering a delicious ravioli option on the Il Palagio menu, I didn’t even need to look at the rest of the pasta list – my mind was made up. Ricotta cheese and zucchini raviolini with tomato sauce was exquisite, so fresh, completely homemade, with lightly grilled courgette flowers and basil – it makes me salivate to remember it now.

My guest, a seafood fan, chose the Cavatelli pasta ’cacio e pepe’ with marinated red prawns and baby squid. A pale and pretty bowl of aromatic pasta covered in the most addictive, creamy sauce. The seafood was ultra-fresh and a lovely addition.

Roasted ‘Cinta Senese’ suckling pig with apple crème, glazed pig trotters,braised onion and black cabbage was the ideal meat option. A pretty layout of different ingredients and components on the plate, every mouthful was a delight. The meat was tender and delicious, covered in a smooth, sweet gravy. We managed to scrap the plate clean even after our big bowls of pasta.

After a petite course of the finest soft and hard cheeses and a sweet amuse-bouche of sorbet and melon it was time for desserts. Pudding was the least exciting course, slightly forgettable hazulnut and cream cake and a chocolate cylinder with a caramel sauce. Macarons, limoncello and coffee completed the Michelin starred meal.

A truly elegant hotel, a beautiful dining room and a kitchen producing excellent food, Il Palagio is hard to fault, a real Florentine masterpiece.

More information and book here.

Many thanks to Firenze Cards and the Florence Tourist board for their help with this trip.