Cunard announces partnership with Graduate Fashion Foundation

Ahead of this year’s Transatlantic Fashion Week on board the ocean liner Queen Mary 2, luxury cruise line Cunard has announced Graduate Fashion Foundation as its newest partner.Six talented graduates, who showcased their designs at Graduate Fashion Week 2018, have been selected to join the Transatlantic Fashion Week Crossing, headlined by milliner to the royals Stephen Jones OBE.

In order to be selected for Cunard’s Transatlantic Fashion Week voyage, the students from GFW 2018 submitted their collections and the inspiration behind them to the Graduate Fashion Foundation and revered fashion historian and author Colin McDowell MBE. The judges based their decision on expertise, individuality and appeal and chose six budding designers to represent Graduate Fashion Foundation.

Guests will attend an exclusive runway show featuring collections from some of the world’s most famous fashion colleges graduates, including Aurélie Fontan, Enki Allan, Jacaranda Brain, Louise Clark, Maddie Stringer and Marta Kazmierczak.

The graduates’ designs will be worn by models from leading agency, STORM who return to Transatlantic Fashion Week as a partner.

In addition to Stephen Jones OBE, other designers and fashion influencers include shoe designer and entrepreneur Stuart Weitzman, Britain’s Next Top Model judge Hilary Alexander OBE, author of Shopping, Seduction and Mr Selfridge Lindy Woodhead and fashion consultant Gail Sackloff OBE. The unique crossing invites guests to enjoy seven days of fashion-focused events, including runway shows, talks, Q&A’s and exclusive unveilings.

Lee Powell, VP Brand and Product at Cunard, said: “We are excited and privileged to welcome graduates from Graduate Fashion Foundation on this year’s Transatlantic Fashion Week. Only on Cunard do both loyal Cunarders and new guests have the opportunity to mingle with some of fashion’s most iconic designers and emerging talent. It is so important to encourage the next generation and what a fabulous environment to launch what is sure to be some very bright futures in the world of fashion.”

Martyn Roberts, Managing Director at Graduate Fashion Foundation added: “Cunard’s Transatlantic Fashion Week on board Queen Mary 2 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the world of fashion in an iconic and timeless venue. We are incredibly excited that some of the top graduates that we support through the Graduate Fashion Foundation will have the opportunity to show their work alongside some hugely respected and talented names in fashion, and to do so whilst sailing across the Atlantic is really special. ”

Now in its fourth year, Cunard’s Transatlantic Fashion Week continues to go from strength-to-strength providing guests with an opportunity to get up close to established designers that have included Julien Macdonald OBE and Dame Zandra Rhodes DBE, in addition to up-and-coming talent from The Royal College of Art, Parsons College of Art and the University of Westminster.