Acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann, of Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet and Elvis fame, has taken his artistic skills to the next level, designing the interiors of a glamorous new train carriage.
Celia, a new private dining and events carriage designed by the visionary filmmaker, will be launched this month by the British Pullman, a Belmond Train.
The carriage will serve as a venue for grand banquets and intimate celebrations, transforming into a theatrical space for performances on all British Pullman itineraries.
The carriage seats up to 12 guests, and in addition to its dining area features a lounge and bar, as well as a kitchen.
Created in collaboration with Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin, the carriage draws inspiration from the British countryside, as well as Shakespeare, and the extravagant and flamboyant characteristics of a Baz Luhrmann film set.
Its name is inspired by Luhrmann’s fictional muse, Celia.
Celia’s layout mimics the acts of a play and each of the carriage’s compartments are revealed one by one, thanks to two gigantic velvet curtains which individually space out.
The first compartment is the bar lounge, complete with parquet floors and walls decorated in intricate patterns, floral motifs and enchanting fairies.
British Pullman, A Belmond Train has launched Celia, the new ultra-luxe carriage
The carriage can accommodate up to 12 guests – including in the dining room
In the separate snug, there is an elaborate pink, red, green and yellow carpet which rolls up to a plush, tasselled purple velvet sofa decorated with pillows.
The magic continues in the dining room, a celebration of contemporary heritage.
Throughout, bold greens, browns and deep reds mimic the theatrical flair of the West End stage, as do the naval style windows and backlit glass ceilings, designed to give the impression of being inside a theatrical jewel box.
Elsewhere, green and maroon scalloped chairs make up the elaborately detailed, timber dining table.
A signature scent, personally selected by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, has been developed to further immerse guests into the world of Celia.
All aspects of the experience on board are meticulously planned – from off-train excursions to personal menus and wine preferences, discussed and agreed upon directly with the carriage’s dedicated chef and team before boarding the British Pullman.
On arrival, guests will be chauffeured on board Celia and enjoy welcome drinks, courtesy of their own dedicated team of stewards for the day.
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 equipped with a stage and dance floor.
The bar lounge and other interiors are filled with plush sofas and floral designs, a nod to the English countryside
Dinner parties can be held inside the carriage, with British-inspired menus
Live performances, as well as playlists and DJ sets, can be arranged in advance.
Guests will be served a three-course meal on board.
In keeping with the eccentricity and culture of the British palette, a choice of English dishes will be offered.
This includes beef wellington and chicken liver parfait – all served with modern spins, twists and according to the preferences of the guest’s occasion.
Monica Berg, master mixologist and co-founder of Tayer + Elementary – often rated among one of the top five bars in the world – has brought an exclusive cocktail list for Celia not available elsewhere on the British Pullman.
Favourites include an English punch that will be served as soon as guests board the carriage alongside a range of mocktails, spritzers and other beverages.
Catherine Martin said: ‘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 launch party saw a whole host of famous faces, including Alexa Chung, Baz Luhrmann, Stella McCartney, Tom Ford (Centre left-right) and Anna Wintour (far right)
Simone Ashley, who recently appeared in The Devil Wears Prada 2, climbed on board
‘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.’
A launch party took place on Saturday, 9 May and saw a whole host of stars climb aboard to celebrate.
Tennis player Roger Federer and his wife Mirka, designers Tom Ford and Stella McCartney, and actor Emma Corrin were among the invitees.
TV presenter and model Alexa Chung, Vogue’s global editorial director Anna Wintour and star of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Bridgerton Simone Ashley joined the group.
Prices for the exclusive use of Celia carriage aboard the British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England start from £15,000 and includes transfers within Greater London.
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