Royal College of Art graduate Sophie Schmidt, unveiled her latest creation on board upscale Queen Mary 2, rather fashionable in her own right. The event kicked off Cunard’s first ever ‘Transatlantic Fashion Week’ with Dame Zandra Rhodes.

Sailing from Southampton, fashion royalty including Colin McDowell MBE, Fern Mallis and Gail Sackloff OBE set off from for seven days of runway shows, glamorous dinners and exclusive unveilings before joining New York Fashion Week on September 8.

British Designer Dame Zandra Rhodes CBE, known for dressing some of the world’s best-known style icons including Freddie Mercury, Jackie Onassis and former Cunard passenger Elizabeth Taylor, will showcase her latest collection this week on board Queen Mary 2. Also on board, highly respected fashion historian and style commentator Colin McDowell MBE and New York Fashion Week Founder Fern Mallis for a series of inspirational talks during the voyage.

Passengers will attend exclusive first look runway shows featuring collections from the world’s most famous fashion college, the Royal College of Art’s 2016 graduates including:

• Niels Gundtoft Hansen: innovative Danish designer whose final collection aims to create the perfect balance between the raw edge and romantic beauty of his home country
• Stefanie Tschirky: born in a small village in Switzerland, Stefanie hopes one day to own her own design studio, with a focus on interdisciplinary design and art work
• Sophie Schmidt: Sophie’s interest in design stemmed from her upbringing in a family of architects, and her collection is based on Anthroposophy – taking inspiration from life, the human body and soul to create a deeper meaning
• Oksana Ani: Oksana has taken inspiration from science and technology to create her Fluid’Sense collection, creating the feeling of wearing liquid clothes
• Laetitia Berthier: influenced by social codes, values and symbols of power within menswear across decades, Laetitia’s collection is inspired by her French heritage and the varied and diverse influences discovered during her studies

In addition to embracing new design talent, the first-ever fashion show at sea will introduce emerging new faces from of one London’s revolutionary modeling agencies, Storm.

Following a recent remastering in the region of $132 million, Queen Mary 2 marks 176 years of heritage, echoing the height of British elegance and luxury associated with Cunard’s iconic fleet. Cunard’s ‘Transatlantic Fashion Week’ will provide a rare and exclusive experience for guests set within an art deco inspired interior.