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Trans-Atlantic 'Fashion Week' among Cunard theme sailings

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Dame Zandra Rhodes will show designs from her collections on Queen Mary 2 'Fashion Week' crossing (Photo: Gene Nocon)
Cunard Line's first 'Trans-Atlantic Fashion Week’ voyage will carry the pioneering British designer Dame Zandra Rhodes CBE, fashion historian Colin McDowell and Fern Mallis, the ‘godmother of fashion’ and founder of New York Fashion Week. Other 2016 Cunard theme sailings will delve into British regional culinary traditions and offer dancing to big band music.

After departing Southampton on Sept. 1, Queen Mary 2 will arrive in New York the day Fashion Week starts, Sept. 8.

Dame Zandra Rhodes has dressed musicians and icons including Freddie Mercury and Jackie Onassis. On the crossing she'll show designs from her collections, and models from the Storm agency will take to the catwalk. Students from The Royal College of Art will present their collections.

The 'British Isles Culinary Discovery' on board Queen Elizabeth in June will feature Charles Sichel of Maison Sichel and Jilly Goolden, wine critic and UK television personality. Passengers will be able to taste regional delicacies from around the British Isles during tailored shore excursions, hosted shipboard events and as part of specially curated menus.

The cruise sails June 23 to July 5.

Each of the three Cunard Queens will host their own 'Big Band Balls' in November 2016 for dance and music lovers. Cunard’s biggest orchestras of the year will play music from Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

'Big Band Balls' are scheduled for Queen Mary 2's Nov. 19 crossing from Southampton to New York, Queen Victoria's Nov. 15-19 Caribbean cruise and Queen Elizabeth's 'Bruges Short Break,' Nov. 19-22 round-trip Southampton.