Form or function? It's a question as old as, well...footwear itself. Because typically shoes that serve a specific function have their form dedicated to them. Just think of work boots or running shoes and you'll know what we mean. Conversely shoes designed for form aren't typically very functional. Porsche Design, however, figures they've got it figured out with its latest footwear collection.

Built around a unique sole designed specifically for driving, the collection includes a variety of styles for the gentleman driver, ranging from formal oxfords to sporty sneakers. Each features a left sole with a solid grip to operate the clutch and a right sole designed for easy transition from gas to brake. The uppers are made from black, white, gray and brown calfskin, and are fabricated in Italy by Müller & Meirer Lederwarenfabrik GmbH.

This is probably the only time I've seen something named after the Vice President cost more than something named after the President. The Biden, which sells for $190, is part of the newest collection from Terra Plana, a London-based shoe company. The Pop Series is a line of modular shoes made with recycled, natural,and biodegradable materials. The Barack shoe ($180) and the Biden ankle boot are the first two styles introduced from the new line and are constructed from glue-less technology. These shoes feature just 10-12 components while the average shoe is comprised of between 50 and 70. The series is designed to be lightweight and flexible and has an interchangeable sole.

Comme des Garçons avant-garde designer and founder Rei Kawakubo has created four new versions of Converse's classic Chuck Taylors as part of the PLAY by Converse collection. The new styles launch at the end of this month, according to ELLE.

Kawakubo took inspiration from the Converse archives, borrowing a Chuck Taylor silhouette from the '50s that was designed for the U.S. military. Each pair has the Comme des Garçons PLAY heart on the side, making it unique (though some comments in the blogosphere note that these don't seem much different from any other Chucks except for the heart).

New York, Paris, London, Hong Kong and Seoul shoppers will be able to get them in the next week at select retailers that sell Comme des Garçons PLAY, and in October, everyone else can get them after a second launch in the same Comme des Garçons stores as well as at top Converse retailers in the U.S., Canada and China.

The four styles are available in high- or low-top, and in black or white canvas. $100

Omelle makes some of the most unusual footwear I've seen. The Spring/Summer '09 collection has some basics for those who us who teeter in heels (low-heeled sandals) as well as more upscale styles, perfect for the big summer party where you want to impress. For the warmer nights where you still want a boot for style, there is this combo that mixes a boot and a sandal.

Made with exotic skins and leather, and sometimes adorned with ribbons, Omelle's shoes are available on its own site as well as at shopbop.com. Sizes are European, and prices start in the high $400 range. Get shopping, then get a pedicure, pronto!

P.S. Every pair comes with a reusable Bow Bag, taking the place of tissue in the boxes. You also can buy it separately for $50.

Yesterday, I went out with my husband. I got dolled up in a fancy new black dress, did my hair, and slipped on my Crocs. Yep. I spent date night out on the town wearing the same brand of shoes you find on most 3-year-olds in America -- sort of. But I don't think you'll find my version of Crocs in the sandbox any time soon.

I was wearing the Dangerous Diva shoes pictured here. They're part of a new line of footwear from Crocs called YOU by crocs. They're just as sexy and fashionable as any other date night shoe, but they really live up to the Crocs name in comfort and utility.

The footbed is leather-lined, but underneath the logo is a pad of croslite™ material -- the same stuff all the original Crocs are made of -- and the soles have a non-slip pad on the ball of the foot that kept me steady on my feet, even on wet ground with 3.5-inch heels. After a whole day on my feet in my Dangerous Diva kicks, my feet were still comfortable when I finally slipped out of the shoes at the end of the night. That's not because I'm used to heels like this, either. In fact, my standard footwear is one of three other pairs of classic Crocs (I have these in purple, these in pink and brown, and these in blue and brown) -- all flats -- so I can honestly recommend the new YOU by crocs line to anyone and everyone, even ladies who normally prefer flats.

All YOU by crocs shoes come in classic colors like black, brown, and gray, but they wouldn't be Crocs if you couldn't find a few pairs in orange, pink, and purple. Check out the gallery below for some of my favorite styles.

So what hasn't Paris Hilton done yet? Designed her own shoe line! The heiress will soon be adding one more industry onto her "been there, done that" list (it's gotta be a novel if she actually has one), and that's footwear. Early next year Paris Hilton Footwear is scheduled to launch thanks to a recently signed licensing agreement with Antebi Footwear Group. Paris was quoted as saying "My goal is to create a stylish and fun fashion line from head to toe."

Alrighty then. I'm curious to see what she comes up with, although I'm sure they'll be cute and stylish. The Paris Hilton Footwear collection will supposedly include something for everybody, meaning everything from stilettos to wedges to flats.

Saks flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York is getting a brand new shoe department. Besides adding room for lots more shoes, the fancy new showroom on the 8th floor will include a VIP room for private shopping, lots of seating, a refreshment area and the availability of on site shoe repair. At 8,500 square feet, Sak's new shoe department is so large it is actually getting its own zip code: 10022-SHOE. Well, the zip code is more about promotion than anything else, but imagine 10,000 pairs of shoes in one place! Shoe lovers will have to wait a few months to experience this footwear paradise as the new space won't be complete until August.

Puma and Schedoni are joining forces. I know what you're thinking, Puma and who? Schedoni is a small family owned company out of Italy that has been hand-crafting leather goods for almost 100 years. They may be tiny in size, and you may not be familiar with their name, but they are by no means "small timers." In addition to making high-end shoes and purses, Schedoni handcrafting graces everything from the optional fitted luggage ordered with an Audi or Ferrari to the bomb-resistant leather briefcases used by the Secret Service. And now they're hooking up with the giant Puma for two lines of new shoes.

Introduce Puma by Schedoni. The first of the two new styles, called Autodromo, will be made in Schedoni's trademark golden tan color and will come with the new owner's initials branded right into the leather. The second will allow the customer to personalize their shoes even more by using a "Puzzle Kit" to choose leather color combinations. Both models are limited addition as no more than 500 of each will be made.

I've always had a soft spot for Puma shoes, and I love it when companies get together for new ideas. Plus, it would be really cool to say your shoes are made by the same company that outfits the United States Secret Service.