Here are some of the major things I’ve learned about Spring 2008 shoe trends during the latest Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion week:

- metallics are truly the new neutrals;

- vinyl is here to stay (and somewhere, an angel just lost his wings just like that);

- patents ain’t going nowhere, either;

- a little yellow goes a long way;

- grey goes with everything (really) (no, really); and

- bold, architectural construction (think cutouts, laces, brash weaving, and striking heel or vamp details)–is in.

To wit:

Gottex:

gottex.jpg

(Photo by Mat Szwajkos/Getty Images for Gottex)

L.A.M.B.:

lamb.jpg

Toni Maticevski:

maticevski.jpg

Alexander Herchcovitch:

herchcovitch2.jpg

herchcovitch.jpg

BCBG MaxAzria:

bcbg.jpg

bcbg2.jpg

(Photos by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)