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Baz Luhrmann’s films ooze luxury. And from the over-the-top glamour of the Gatsby mansion to the rich red Moulin Rouge ballroom, much of the characteristic opulence of his movies is down to his longtime collaborator (and wife) costume and production designer Catherine Martin.
Now, the power couple have put their creative minds together to conjure up something else entirely – a train carriage. Luhrmann and Martin have designed Celia, a new carriage on the UK’s most luxurious train, the Belmond British Pullman.
Inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, London’s 1930s West End theatre scene and vintage cinema, the carriage has its own cocktail bar, lounge, dining area and entertainment space for up to 12 people. It’ll be adorned with thick velvet, British floral motifs, oak wood marquetry, rich green, yellow, purple and red furnishings and heavy theatre-style curtains.
Belmond says that the carriage can be booked for exclusive lunches, grand banquets, cocktail hours or intimate celebrations with customised menus. Once the feasting is over, it can be turned into a dancefloor or theatrical space for performances.
Luhrmann said: ‘For Catherine and I, creating Celia was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing us to push the boundaries of creativity, luxury, and uniqueness. Stepping inside the carriage is like being transported into another world, andone in which guests are invited to become part of the story.
‘Celia, at its heart, is a magical mystery tour - a traveling dining experience for friends or an intimate celebration, filled with food, music, wine, laughter, and performance. All of this unfolds as you drift through the countryside, feeling as though you've stepped inside A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's a playful and exceptionally unique way to explore the UK, at your own pace and according to your own rhythm and story.’
Celia will start to welcome passengers in the summer. Exclusive use of the carriage starts from an eye-watering £15,000. That price tag includes a your own experience curator, private luxury transfers between Greater London and London Victoria, a private chef, butler and steward, welcome drinks and expert wine pairings and an itinerary bespoke to you.
Find out more and book on the Belmond British Pullman website here.
Did you see that the UK has a new sleeper train route for 2026?
Plus: I rode Scotland’s poshest train – it costs the same as a week at The Ritz.
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