Meet Celia – The Luxury Train Car Designed by Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin
After going on a cinematic journey with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, I find that I don’t want to leave the adventure. I want to linger in the opulent worlds they create : the sexy red theater in Moulin Rough!, the opulent parties in The Great Gatsby, and the tragically romantic sets of Romeo & Juliet (the amount of candles used in the final act will always live rent-free in my mind).
No matter the topic – Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, or even Elvis Presley – Luhrmann and Martin are masters at lush and luxurious placemaking. Their newest project is not a film, but rather a tangible place in the form of a private dining and events carriage on the British Pullman – a Belmond Train – named the Celia.
Currently a work in progress, the Celia is scheduled to debut in the summer of 2026. While we must wait for the grand reveal, there are plenty of clues about what the finished product will look like. One thing is for sure, it is very much a Luhrmann and Martin production.
The two have been concocting magic since they met at university in Australia and have worked together since 1988. While Luhrmann is the director of the projects, Martin’s mark – with her remarkable production design and costumes – is a crucial aspect of their films, since the aesthetics are such a driving force in their narratives . And they are a team not just professionally but also personally, having been married since 1997 and the parents of two.
The train car isn’t their first foray into real-world environment building; they’ve tapped into their distinctive, moody, maximalist style to decorate their homes, such as their New York City townhouse. You can see some of their interior design decisions here, before their home was toned down for the fickle real estate market. Their dining car project will definitely not be tamed and will be distinctly theirs.
Since storytelling is their game, their train car comes with a backstory. Celica – the fictional muse of the space – is a British actress circa the 1930’s who played Titania – the Queen of the Fairies – in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, so of course there is already whimsy embedded in the theme.
”For Catherine and I, creating Celia was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing us to push the boundaries of creativity, luxury, and uniqueness, ” Baz Luhrmann stated. “Stepping inside the carriage is like being transported into another world, and one 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.”
Set within an original 1932 Pullman carriage, the Celia will feature a lounge, a cocktail bar, and dining and entertainment areas. The Celia will be an opulent space. Jewel tones of green, yellow, red, and purple will decorate the space alongside rich woods, theatrical curtains, and floral details.The self-contained car departs from London’s Victoria Station and seats up to twelve guests within what seems to be a highly curated space.
“A celebration of British craftsmanship, Celia brings together the very best artisans and designers, handpicked by Luhrmann and Martin to conjure up a world of historied theatre and cinema. Layers of romanticism play out throughout the carriage’s literary design narrative, which takes cues from the British landscape, including its flora and fauna.” To join their team, the duo enlisted an array of high-end artisans to finish the space, including bespoke furniture by designer Bill Cleyndert, flourishes by the embroidery house Hand & Hook, and Tony Sandles, who creates handmade antique-looking glass and mirror finishes.
This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences (if you can afford it that is). Prices for the Celia start from £15,000 (about $20,000) and include transfers within Greater London. When renting the space, you also get a “guest experience curator,” a chef, butler, and steward, exclusive menus, wine pairings, and special “bespoke” activities.
Images via Belmond