The sixth annual bridal showcase, held in conjunction with WeddingChannel.com and soon to be broadcast on their site, filled New York's Metropolitan Pavilion with the latest designs from more than 100 international designers.

Reflecting a renewed interest in couture and ready-to-wear trends, this year's crop of gowns and accessories represented a move towards color, daring cuts, geometrical ornaments - and the return of lace.

While modern brides have shied away from traditional fabric in the last few years, lace accents on the bodice or skirt are now coming back into vogue.

"There is a return to femininity - the dresses are flowy, and the shapes are softer, and lace is part of that," says Lori Weil, national sales director of Bridal Givenchy.

The French couture house showed a strapless Chantilly lace ball gown that put the delicate white fabric over a darker undercoat. And for a twist, Italian dressmaker Atelier Aimee drew attention with a charming accessory: a romantic lace cap for the bride. "We're getting very good response," says a spokeswoman, adding that the caps were "a nice alternative to the traditional tiaras."

Another nice alternative to tradition comes in the way of color. "European brides have always been more open towards color, but finally American women are starting to respond as well," says designer Mika Inatome. "They want to make a statement with adding color to the dress."

Inatome's range of slim-cut dresses with colorfully beaded flowers around the décolletage and hemlines is perfect for a bride looking to make a subtle but stylish personal statement.

Max Chaoul's full-skirted gowns with gold-toned beading and Ines Di Santo's silver dress with matching hooded cape provide color options on the fairy tale end of the spectrum.

But color is about more than whimsy. As Inatome points out, it's also a great way to incorporate the different aspects of your wedding, like the setting.

"A lot of my clients have destination weddings," Inatome says, adding: "If you're having a wedding in a tropical climate like the Bahamas, beading in soft pastels are beautiful against the setting."

An even more fashion conscious trend to influence bridal designers this time around brought a bevy of backless, midriff and one-shouldered tops to the fore.

"There is a little bit of sexiness that you didn't see in bridal gowns before," Rita Vinieris of Rivini observes. "There is definitely a movement towards bareness." Vinieris, who makes simple A-line dresses stunningly modern with touches like deep V-necks, champions this dare-to-bare trend. As always, though, the key to good bridal fashion is finding a good fit both in terms of style and personality.

"The wedding dress should be an extension of yourself," Vinieris advises.

Geometric patterns also had a big imprint on both runway and bridal fashions this season. Inatome used clear, rectangular beads to give a bridal overcoat a cool but elegant feel - perfect for a loft wedding.

And Bridal Givenchy's team dreamed up a beaded, off-the-shoulder bodice, complimented by a lattice tucked silk organza skirt with round, clear paillette beading, which took its hints from the "Givenchy plaid" Alexander McQueen showed in his couture collection.

Independent Visions Bridal Couture Exposition
Bridal Gown by Ines Disanto

Independent Visions Bridal Couture Exposition
$100K dress by Ydeo

Independent Visions Bridal Couture Exposition
Bridal Gown by Max Chaoul

Independent Visions Bridal Couture Exposition
Bridal Gown by Bridal Givenchy

Independent Visions Bridal Couture Exposition
Bridal Gown by Ines Disanto

Independent Visions Bridal Couture Exposition
Bridal Gown by Mika Inatome