On 23 March 2023, Cunard welcomed travel agents and media to the unveiling of an exciting new archive exhibition at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum.
Titled Travel in Style – Iconic Cunard Advertising in the 1920s and 1930s, the specially curated display provides a unique glimpse of Cunard’s illustrious seafaring heritage.
The exhibition is now open to the public and on display in Gallery 5 within the VG&M. It features original marketing materials and other enduring documents from the past 100 years and chronicles Cunard’s rich history in design and style.
The wider Cunard archives are housed at the University of Liverpool library and contain most of the surviving business records produced by Cunard since it became a limited company in 1878. A unique resource for researching Cunard’s growth and development, many of the records date from the early part of the 1900s and occupy over 400 linear metres!
Lee Powell, Vice President of Brand and Product at Cunard, said:
Cunard is world-renowned for inventing the golden era of ocean travel and this exhibition beautifully showcases the timelessness of our brand. Luxury, sophistication, and glamour are rooted in our DNA and these core values are as important to today’s guests as they were to travellers 100 years ago. Whilst we cherish our heritage, we also use it as inspiration for forward-looking ideas when we plan for the future. Queen Anne is the next in a fine line for Cunard and she will be bursting with breath-taking moments around every corner; all of which contain subtle references to our history.
Queen Anne’s design inspiration
Joining the fleet in May 2024, Cunard’s newest Queen is expected to boast several contemporary spaces onboard that evoke memories of its star-studded history.
Designers from David Collins Studio were in attendance to reveal the design inspiration behind Queen Anne. Having been immersed in the Cunard archives, the design team, whose portfolios include luxury hotels, bars, restaurants, high end yachts, and private grand residences, have ensured that Queen Anne exudes classic Cunard style while showcasing many new considered touches.
Jason Stewart, Associate Director of David Collins Studio, said:
“The brief for the project was to create a ship for the future. I think we have achieved this with a design that is timeless and sophisticated, that won’t date and yet is adaptable for the future. Our designs feature carefully curated architectural details that reference Cunard’s heritage and the Golden Age of Liner Travel.”
Queen Anne’s breath-taking interiors take inspiration from Cunard’s past, celebrating the beautiful art deco style finishes that the brand is known for, to define a striking new design direction for the future.