From cartwheels to pole dancing: The weird and wonderful moments of New York Fashion Week

  • New York Fashion Week began on September 10 and ran through September 17, 2015 
  • The most expensive show this season was undoubtedly Givenchy

New York Fashion Week always has its share of memorable moments, the weird and the wonderful and everything in between. Here are some highlights of eight jam-packed days: 

To begin, a wonderful scene. Designer Prabal Guring has done a lot to support his native country, Nepal, after the devastating earthquake hit in April. 

He began his show with the moving sight of 30 Buddhist monks chanting a prayer of gratitude for the fashion community's help. 

Gurung then put on one of the more beautiful shows of the week, a tribute to Nepal in shades of yellow, saffron, peach and tea rose, with gorgeous embroidery. 

'All I wanted to do is show a little of where I'm from,' he said.

Tribute: Buddhist monks perform before the Prabal Gurung Spring 2016 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York

Tribute: Buddhist monks perform before the Prabal Gurung Spring 2016 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York

Prayers: Gurung opened his runway show with 30 Buddhist monks who had traveled to New York to chant a prayer of gratitude for the worldís help during the devastating earthquake that killed thousands in April

Prayers: Gurung opened his runway show with 30 Buddhist monks who had traveled to New York to chant a prayer of gratitude for the worldís help during the devastating earthquake that killed thousands in April

Gratitude: 'When the earthquake happened, the first people that came to our rescue in Nepal was the fashion industry here, and I wanted to show some kind of gratitude to them,' Gurung said after the show

Gratitude: 'When the earthquake happened, the first people that came to our rescue in Nepal was the fashion industry here, and I wanted to show some kind of gratitude to them,' Gurung said after the show

How many of us can do a cartwheel and land in a split, at any age? Betsey Johnson does it at 73. 

At a high-octane show marking 50 years in the business, Johnson performed her signature moves before joining a joyous circle of models carrying huge silver '50' balloons. 

Johnson dedicated the show to a special front-row guest - her 94-year-old childhood dance teacher.

Splits: Designer Betsey Johnson does the splits at the end of her Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation

Splits: Designer Betsey Johnson does the splits at the end of her Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation

Signature: The designer did the splits as usual at her NYFW show—with her punk and psychedelic sensibilities bringing her fans rushing backstage afterwards to pay homage

Signature: The designer did the splits as usual at her NYFW show—with her punk and psychedelic sensibilities bringing her fans rushing backstage afterwards to pay homage

Inspiration: Her show titled 'The Curious Case of Betsey Button' was dedicated to her childhood dance teacher, the 73-year-old designer's show was also a personal trip down memory lane

Inspiration: Her show titled 'The Curious Case of Betsey Button' was dedicated to her childhood dance teacher, the 73-year-old designer's show was also a personal trip down memory lane

Some designers talk forever when you ask what their theme is. Thom Browne only needs three or four words. As in: 'A Japanese school uniform.' 

Ever the showman, Browne did it again, presenting a strangely beautiful spin on a simple gray pleated skirt and blazer. 

He built a one-room schoolhouse in a Chelsea gallery, then let his craftsmanship do all the talking.

See me after school: At Thom Browne's runway show, the designer took the simple image of a Japanese schoolgirl's uniform and transformed it into a strange but enticing world — as pretty much only he can do

See me after school: At Thom Browne's runway show, the designer took the simple image of a Japanese schoolgirl's uniform and transformed it into a strange but enticing world — as pretty much only he can do

Lesson time: Browne explained that the whole show was based on one thing: the generic school uniform

Creative: Browne is known for both his craftsmanship and his showmanship, and thus no one was surprised when they entered a Chelsea gallery to see that the designer had constructed a one-room schoolhouse

Creative: Browne is known for both his craftsmanship and his showmanship, and thus no one was surprised when they entered a Chelsea gallery to see that the designer had constructed a one-room schoolhouse

Game, set and match: The World No. 1 tennis player, Serena Williams unveiled her Signature Statement Collection – HSN line. Fringes took center stage of her collection, marked for its simplicity and elegance, targeting the youth

Game, set and match: The World No. 1 tennis player, Serena Williams unveiled her Signature Statement Collection – HSN line. Fringes took center stage of her collection, marked for its simplicity and elegance, targeting the youth

A year ago, Serena Williams just won the U.S. Open when she debuted her first collection for HSN. 

This year, things were different: She had just been derailed in her Grand Slam quest with a stinging loss in the semifinals. 

Still, she showed up - with gracious words for her opponent - to present a well-received collection heavy on fringe, leather and suede, with a killer green motorcycle jacket. 

Who was that next to Vogue editor Anna Wintour? Oh yes, that was DRAKE. Nobody paid attention. (Kidding!) 

What would Fashion Week be without Kanya West, Kim and North West?

Maybe next year, there will be yet another little West (South? East?) in the front row next to Wintour. Kanye presented his second collection - Yeezy 2 - to a star-filled crowd that included, in the front row, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, Courtney Love, Common, Michael Strahan and Seth Meyers. 

As for Jaden Smith, R&B singer Miguel and rapper Pusha T, they had to watch from the second row. Kanye was also a presence at other shows, lending support to designers like Alexander Wang and Brother Vellies. 

One wouldn't necessarily expect pole dancing to be a part of a high-end fashion show, but Alexander Wang was pulling out all the stops for the 10th anniversary of his eponymous label. Wang had just ended his stint with Balenciaga in Paris and was returning to focus solely on his own company. 

As always, a contingent of celebs came out to party: Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, The Weeknd, Kylie Jenner and the aforementioned Kanye.

At the afterparty in the same spot, if you didn't want to watch the bevy of pole dancers you could watch Lil Wayne or Ludacris perform.

Pole position: Alexander Wang's show saw  women pole-dancing the night away, while attendees sipped vodka and munched on mini sandwiches

How to make a splash at Fashion Week? Well, besides great clothes, you can pick an eye-popping venue. 

Carolina Herrera was the first designer ever to show at the elegant Frick Collection on Fifth Avenue, and her models looked lovely strolling through the museum's garden court in shades of pink. 

Tommy Hilfiger, on the other hand, made a literal splash - he built a wooden boardwalk ringed by sand, and his models frolicked in a lagoon.

Moving on up: Carolina Herrera chose the historic Frick Collection museum on the Upper East Side. A beautiful, timeless backdrop to a similarly beautiful, timeless spring collection

Moving on up: Carolina Herrera chose the historic Frick Collection museum on the Upper East Side. A beautiful, timeless backdrop to a similarly beautiful, timeless spring collection

Fricking awesome: Carolina Herrera waves after showing her Spring 2016 collection at The Frick Collection during Fashion Week in New York. The Frick Collection is an art museum located on the Upper East Side of NY

Fricking awesome: Carolina Herrera waves after showing her Spring 2016 collection at The Frick Collection during Fashion Week in New York. The Frick Collection is an art museum located on the Upper East Side of NY

Jamaica me crazy! Leading a pack of gorgeous models through a paradise-inspired set, Gigi and model sister Bella Hadid showed off their infamous figures  as they showcased Tommy Hilfiger's new Jamaica-themed line

Jamaica me crazy! Leading a pack of gorgeous models through a paradise-inspired set, Gigi and model sister Bella Hadid showed off their infamous figures  as they showcased Tommy Hilfiger's new Jamaica-themed line

Wet n' wild: Instead of simply walking the boardwalk for the finale of Hilfiger's Caribbean-themed show, the models splashed into the lake created in the center of the venue, frolicking for the crowd

Wet n' wild: Instead of simply walking the boardwalk for the finale of Hilfiger's Caribbean-themed show, the models splashed into the lake created in the center of the venue, frolicking for the crowd

Be a boho babe on the beach in a lattice swimsuit like Gigi

Whilst we may be just packing away our bikinis, the fashion world is already showcasing next year’s designs with New York Fashion Week well under way.

Model of the moment Gigi Hadid stormed the Tommy Hilfiger catwalk today rocking a lattice bikini-come-swimsuit.

This boho chic one piece features a patchwork print classic triangle bikini with beaded lattice detailing. One thing’s for sure- if this swimwear trend does catch on we’ll be needing a whole lot of sunscreen to avoid some unsightly tan lines!

If you’re jetting off somewhere hot this autumn (you lucky thing) and want to tap into the trend now, then check out our edit of alternatives in the carousel below from Asos, Mara Hoffman and Missguided.

* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED

Then there was Givenchy, which showed in New York rather than Paris to mark the opening of its new store. 

On September 11, it held a star-studded show on a pier, in sight of One World Trade Center beaming its blue light into the night sky. 

Riccardo Tisci, the French fashion house's creative director, worked with performance artist Marina Abramovic on the Waterworld-esque set of walls made of recycled metal and wooden shards. 

Kimye was there, as was Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman, Nicki Minaj. Steven and Liv Tyler, and athletes Amar'e Stoudemire, Victor Cruz and Russell Westbrook.

Opening up: In a first for a major luxury brand, the spectacle was also open to 1,200 members of the public, offering the ultimate consumer experience for fans of the brand

Opening up: In a first for a major luxury brand, the spectacle was also open to 1,200 members of the public, offering the ultimate consumer experience for fans of the brand

Timely: A model presents a creation from the Givenchy 2016 collection, as the Tribute in Light installation shines next to One World Trade in the background

Timely: A model presents a creation from the Givenchy 2016 collection, as the Tribute in Light installation shines next to One World Trade in the background

Remembering: The Sept. 11 event,  on Pier 26, acted as an tribute to the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 as well as the city's strength in the form of 1 World Trade Center set in the back drop

Remembering: The Sept. 11 event, on Pier 26, acted as an tribute to the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001 as well as the city's strength in the form of 1 World Trade Center set in the back drop

There was definitely a Latin vibe in the air. At Oscar de la Renta, designer Peter Copping presented an ode to Spain, featuring lots of pretty black lace, a red carnation print, and even red carnations in every seat.

And at Proenza Schouler, whiz designing duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough referenced flamenco and ruffles in a much-admired collection that, Hernandez said, was inspired by thoughts of his own family and history (he has Cuban roots).

'A ruffle's kind of weird,' Hernandez said, explaining the experiment. 'A ruffle feels so WRONG. We like things that feel wrong ... and (turning them into) something that feels kind of great.'

Renta the runway: Designer Peter Copping said for Oscar de la Renta's show he drew inspiration at the Hispanic Society of America in Harlem, where he viewed paintings and textiles that he knew de la Renta, who died in October 2014, would have loved

Renta the runway: Designer Peter Copping said for Oscar de la Renta's show he drew inspiration at the Hispanic Society of America in Harlem, where he viewed paintings and textiles that he knew de la Renta, who died in October 2014, would have loved

Finally, there was Marc Jacobs - who always ends Fashion Week with a bang. 

This time, it was a really big bang. Jacobs took over the midtown Ziegfeld Theater for his own 'premiere,' with a huge jazz band and popcorn and candy and special Playbills. 

The clothes were bright, shiny and sparkly. And perhaps the best moment was when musician and plus-size model Beth Ditto showed up on the runway. 

She not only rocked a plunging white gown paired with a feather boa. She did something rarely seen on the runway: She smiled.

Showing now: Marc Jacobs' show was a cheeky, Americana-filled homage to ultra-glamorous, 1950s Hollywood, with lots of gowns and plenty of sparkle, held at NYC's Ziegfeld Theatre

Showing now: Marc Jacobs' show was a cheeky, Americana-filled homage to ultra-glamorous, 1950s Hollywood, with lots of gowns and plenty of sparkle, held at NYC's Ziegfeld Theatre

The show was called 'One Night Only,' and there was a Playbill and popcorn and even an orchestra. Once the 400 guests for Marc Jacobs's spring 2016 collection the models began to parade down the catwalk

The show was called 'One Night Only,' and there was a Playbill and popcorn and even an orchestra. Once the 400 guests for Marc Jacobs's spring 2016 collection the models began to parade down the catwalk

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