Although footwear does not take central seat at the Fashion Week, there were a few show-stoppers that merited attention. Mostly, the runway was flush with the usual suspects: peep-toes, strappy sandals, patents, shiny metallics, and a few oxfords; the colors were mostly subdued (well, apart from the L.A.M.B. collection, perhaps), varying between white, gray, and black, with the golds and silver thrown in for good measure.

In the collections whose shoes actually made a statement (almost) as big as the clothes, I noticed a tendency towards architectural, elaborate details: fancy vamp construction, innovative mixes of materials, intricate cutouts resembling latticework

Here are some shoes from Doo.Ri, in all their chunky-heeled glory:

As always, Proenza Schouler doesn’t disappoint: those chunky, contrast leather or metal and studded heels are absolutely fierce. Add a buckle or three, and you’ll turn into a real glamazon:

More ankle-breaking action from these elaborate Thanook sandals, somewhere between stunners and clunkers (clunners? stunkers?). Please note the yellow and gray color combo, both big hits this coming season:

All the models at the Vera Wang show wore pretty much one of these two shoes:

We’ve seen it before–peep-toe, laser work and…vinyl. The first is somewhat elegant, but the second…um…easy on the vinyl, please. Won’t somebody tell these designers to cut it out, already?

Here are some cutout oxfords from the Alexander Wang collection:

In terms of novel ways to wear shoes, however, I love this Vena Cava gray opaque tights-royal blue shoes combo:

I don’t think too many people can pull off that mini-dress, but the gray/blue combo on the bottom is both subtle and striking at the same time. Definitely a fashion inspiration for the fall!