From left to right, Oscar de la Renta, Wes Gordon, Viktor & Rolf, and Theyskens' Theory. Photo: Imaxtree

Not to give Kate Middleton too much credit, but the abundance of ball gown-chic on the runways might have been thanks to a sort of ‘princess effect’. Though hemlines were long and skirts full, designers didn’t quite follow her recipe of ‘less is more.’ Instead they created interesting garments often filled with naughty details and replaced the pashmina (or fuzzy cardigan in Middleton’s case) with a crop-top or two. Peter Dundas created an empire-waist sinister bride for Pucci with dead weather eye makeup and gothic gypsy jewelry. Viktor & Rolf’s collection also had menacing elements, like a gown with an overlying lace-up corset. Jason Wu and Oscar de la Renta’s were luxuriously voluminous, Wu’s a bright bubblegum pink and Oscar’s topped off with a cropped lace tee. Giles Deacon’s decidedly dressed-up collection included Bjork-like swan embroideries while a dress at Theyskens’ Theory was virtually see-through. Click here to see all of the spring 2012 Collections!