The recent Oscar ceremony was a busy time for shoe designer Stuart Weitzman. A host of celebrities were to be seen sporting his creations at this year's awards, including Kathleen York, who wrote and sang the nominated song In the Deep from Crash, winner of the best movie award.

Last year Weitzman brought in Bear Stearns Merchant Banking, the private equity arm of the investment bank, to bring business acumen to his company. Weitzman said: "The people there are present or former entrepreneurs and have the same outlook on business as I do."