Pole dancers, celebrities celebrate Wang's 10th birthday

Alexander Wang put the fun into New York fashion week, transforming his catwalk into a free-for-all after party with pole dancers, flowing drinks and a DJ to celebrate 10 years as designer extraordinaire.

Rap star Nicki Minaj was spotted at the bar, boundary-pushing New York pop star Lady Gaga attended and the entire crowd were invited as Wang got the party started as soon as the lights ended on the runway show.

Known for his gothic, urban style, Wang sent recrafted sports-inspired ultra contemporary collection down the runway for spring/summer 2016 -- a riot of hoodies, blazers, leather and fringes -- a key trend of the season.

At the end of the show and before the party, Wang showed an edgy video looking back on his career, broadcast from the backing wall. Then it was all eyes on the semi-clad, athletic pole dancers strutting their stuff.

Other highlights from Saturday, day three of fashion week, were:

- Herve Leger turns 30 -

The fashion house owned since 1998 by the Max Azria Group, famous for creating the "body-con" dress, celebrated 30 years in the business with a collection of sexy, slinky dresses.

"The Herve Leger woman is independent, sexy, she goes on the attack, she is steady on her feet," Max Azria told AFP backstage.

He sent 60 models down the runway, 30 in the spring-summer 2016 collection and 30 offering a retrospective of the brand's development.

- Lacoste -

French house Lacoste mined the Olympic Games in Brazil next year as inspiration for its collection of lightweight clothing.

"Next year, Lacoste dresses the French team for the parade and medal ceremonies at the Rio Olympics," explained brand artistic director Felipe Oliveira Baptista.

"I designed that this year, and I told myself it would be great to do something with the Olympics in general."

His spring-summer 2016 collection was resplendent in lightweight materials that offer plenty of movement and sporty elegance.

"Sportswear that is chic, and a chic that is more casual," he concluded.

- Banana Republic -

The retail giant joined forces with Timo Weiland as part of a program to support emerging talent among America-based designers, in unveiling a crisp presentation in New York's Meatpacking district.

Banana Republic stuck to its tested formula for affordable, practical and yet stylish clothing favored by young professionals on a budget.

There were plenty of stripes, fringed stiletto sandals for women and slim-line blue suiting for men.

The capsule collection from Timo Weiland was slightly edgier, featuring a stunning tomato dress with cut-out lace-style panels, and a full skirt.

"It's really exciting," Banana Republic creative director Marissa Webb said backstage.

- Altuzarra -

Basque culture inspired the collection from French-born designer Joseph Altuzarra, whose father's family comes from the region.

He got the idea from an exhibition by photographer Charles Freger that featured pagan costumes worn in Europe at festival time.

"There was a whole section that was about all these Basque costumes... and that's what started my thinking about Basque culture and about my heritage," he said.

"Actually, the new Altuzarra logo comes from Basque typography, so that's something that I am much more aware of and that I think that I am very proud of," he said.