Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik, John Lobb and George Cleverly - these may be hallowed names in the world of shoe- making, but Frank Gehry? The architect's latest project is not, as one might assume, yet another curvaceously jaw- dropping Guggenheim, but rather ankle-height, in contrasting black and white leather, with a brogue toe and button fastening. To be specific, it's a boot, and along with another distinctly modish style, is available to order from French shoemakers JM Weston.

"I sat next to Miuccia Prada at a dinner recently and her shoes were very architectural," says Gehry, who was approached by Weston and, attracted by the challenge, agreed to co-design some shoes with his artist son Alejandro. "Shoes always have to be functional and then have their own character, but architects and shoe designers alike are working with shape and structure. We have 20 other shoe designs ready to go."