Acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann, known for Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, and Elvis, has turned his artistic talents to designing the interiors of a glamorous new train carriage. Celia, a private dining and events carriage created by the visionary filmmaker, will launch this month on 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.
Celia seats up to 12 guests and features a lounge, bar, dining area, and a kitchen. Designed in collaboration with Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin, the carriage draws inspiration from the British countryside, Shakespeare, and the extravagant style of a Luhrmann film set. Its name is inspired by Luhrmann's fictional muse, Celia.
The layout mimics the acts of a play, with each compartment revealed one by one behind two gigantic velvet curtains. The first compartment is the bar lounge, featuring parquet floors and walls decorated with intricate patterns, floral motifs, and enchanting fairies. In the separate snug, an elaborate pink, red, green, and yellow carpet leads to a plush, tasselled purple velvet sofa adorned with pillows.
The dining room celebrates contemporary heritage, with bold greens, browns, and deep reds echoing the theatrical flair of the West End stage. Naval-style windows and backlit glass ceilings create the impression of being inside a theatrical jewel box. Green and maroon scalloped chairs surround an elaborately detailed timber dining table.
A signature scent, personally selected by Luhrmann and Martin, further immerses guests into the world of Celia. All aspects of the experience are meticulously planned, from off-train excursions to personal menus and wine preferences, discussed directly with the carriage's dedicated chef and team before boarding. On arrival, guests are chauffeured on board and enjoy welcome drinks from their own dedicated stewards. When lunch or dinner is served, the curtains open to reveal the dining space, which has been transformed into an entertainment area with a stage and dance floor. Live performances, playlists, and DJ sets can be arranged in advance.
Guests are served a three-course meal featuring English dishes such as beef wellington and chicken liver parfait, all with modern twists. Monica Berg, master mixologist and co-founder of Tayer + Elementary, has created an exclusive cocktail list for Celia, including an English punch served upon boarding, alongside 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 central design was built around storytelling 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 on Saturday, 9 May saw stars including tennis player Roger Federer and his wife Mirka, designers Tom Ford and Stella McCartney, actor Emma Corrin, TV presenter Alexa Chung, Vogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour, and Simone Ashley of The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Bridgerton. Prices for exclusive use of Celia aboard the British Pullman start from £15,000, including transfers within Greater London.
