The Top Runway Shoes from London Fashion Week Fall 2016

In London, a sturdy sure-footedness prevailed for fall '16.

At Mulberry and Burberry, soles were lugged, leather was varnished or rubberized and heels were kept chunky for unencumbered strides. A substantial platform heel with fine strapping also had characteristic climb at Mary Katrantzou.

An Edwardian spirit also took hold at Roksanda Ilincic, right down to velvet boots by Tabitha Simmons, and again at Erdem, who sent out ornate booties with lace ad-hoc spats. And speaking of symbolism, Sophia Webster took her historical references from Gustav Klimt, which translates to richly romantic foiled blooms on stilettos and brocaded leathers on low-heel Mary Janes.

Christopher Kane and Alexander McQueen both explored bold surface details, from bursts of feathers to raw-edged fabric tufts as embellishment.

And although Charlotte Olympia and J.W. Anderson are from opposite ends of the design spectrum, they both focused on heel innovation - from Lucite to metal orbs - for shoes that made quite a memorable exit.

All photos from Giovanni  Giannoni Fairchild (www.footwearnews.com) (FREEMAN)