Fashion Wire Daily - New York - Few trade shows can boast a lingerie runway show as part of their program of events - except, of course, Lingerie Americas, the semi-annual gathering of the intimate apparel industry in the U.S.

In some respects, for those in attendance Lingerie Americas' Monday, Aug. 4, show in New York arguably eclipsed the popular televised Victoria's Secret Angels show - maybe not in terms of star wattage (no Heidi Klums or Gisele Bundchens here), but it hit the mark as a creatively produced Folies Bergere-like spectacle inspired by the art of cinema, which featured professional dancers and a huge breadth of international lingerie brands all bathed in golden light and reflected in the Art Deco mirrored columns of Cipriani's 23rd Street.

The two-part show, which featured nearly 100 looks from more than 40 brands from their Spring/Summer 2009 collections, opened with a choreographed dance number with dancers outfitted like the stars of "A Chorus Line" in black bodysuits, bowler hats and bow ties, followed by a runway presentation with models wearing French brands such as Aubade, Princess Tam Tam, Simone Perele, Gerbe and Huit commenced, showing the latest and greatest underpinnings find their way to the boudoir.

A second dance number introduced the next section of the show, a collection of American and international brands including Badgley Mischka, Jessica Simpson Intimates, Nautica, Allure Inside Out, Blus and Feraud.

The three-day Lingerie Americas event concludes Tuesday, Aug. 5 after showcasing about 200 intimate apparel and swimwear brands, and included the launch of the Playboy White Label set to hit stores next February in time for Valentine's Day, as well as first-time exhibitor Jessica Simpson Intimates.