The British Pullman, A Belmond Train, has unveiled a new carriage, designed by Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning Australian costume and production designer Catherine Martin.
‘Celia’ will be a venue for “grand banquets and intimate celebrations”, transforming into a theatrical space for performances on all British Pullman itineraries.
The carriage seats 12 guests in the dining area, with a lounge, bar and kitchen and a ‘nook’ for private moments.
The design concept follows the pair’s muse Celia, a fictional actress starring in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, while also drawing inspiration from “the British countryside, Shakespeare, and the extravagant and flamboyant flair characteristic of a Baz Luhrmann film set”.
British Pullman general manager Adam Baylis-Waterlow says this experience “will not be able to be replicated anywhere else in the UK”.
“Eccentricity and innovation run through the very historical fabric of the British Pullman, and Celia is the next stage in its natural evolution. This is not just another ‘moment’ for a heritage train, but a genuine cultural piece that showcases the very best of art, fashion and culture today.”
“Celia is in many ways the closest anyone can get to chartering their own train, and as such, this is one of the most exciting additions to the British Pullman in a generation,” Baylis-Waterlow adds.
From the moment guests make a booking, they will have direct access to a personal guest experience curator – a new addition specifically created for Celia guests.
Every element of the carriage has been created to be bespoke. Expect parquet floors and walls decorated in intricate patterns, floral motifs and fairies. In the separate ‘snug’, a pink, red, green and yellow carpet rolls its way up to a plush tasselled purple velvet sofa decorated with pillows.
The dining room has marquetry mirrors and features the pansy, a symbol of British nostalgia and love, all with the theatrical flair of the West End stage.
To encapsulate the world of Celia, Martin utilised the expertise and vision of several hand-selected British artisans, including embroiders and marquetry artisans.
The carriage also has its own signature scent, personally selected by Luhrmann and Martin.
Martin says Celia tells the story of a “true and authentic narrative”.
“From the beginning, the project was always about unearthing the voyage and discovery of the British landscape and discovering it from within.
“The central design was built around storytelling in mind and how guests created their own narratives within the world of Celia.
“The carriage has been designed in such a way that it is modular and extremely customisable, so guests can dial in their own experience in the fantastical make-believe world Baz and I have created.”
The journey begins via private luxury transfer from any London hotel or within the Greater London area, where on arrival guests are chauffeured to board Celia for free-flowing champagne in the bar and lounge area.
Giant theatrical curtains have been installed to give guests a sense of cinematic theatricality throughout and when lunch or dinner is served, the curtains will open to reveal the dining space bar and lounge, which will then have been transformed into an entertainment space with a stage and dance floor.
A three-course meal follows with traditional English dishes, including beef wellington and chicken liver parfait, while master mixologist Monica Berg, co-founder of Tayer + Elementary, creates an exclusive cocktail list for Celia, not available elsewhere on the British Pullman.
For more information, visit Belmond Trains.
