Belmond British Pullman Unveils Fantastical Carriage by Luhrmann and Martin

The Belmond British Pullman will introduce a newly designed carriage this week, on May 6, 2026, conceived by the acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann and four-time Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin. Named 'Celia,' the carriage is an homage to a fictional 1920s West End actress and marks a significant addition to the luxury train's offerings.

Liam Hess of Vogue reports that this new private dining carriage is an imaginative space, crafted as a 'jewel box' with decorative pansy florets, back-lit glass ceilings, and intricate wooden marquetry walls. According to Hess, the design posits a narrative where Celia, celebrated for her 1932 performance as Titania in Shakespeare’s 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream', was gifted this Pullman car by an anonymous patron. Liam Hess notes that while Celia herself is an 'imaginary muse,' the carriage is very much real, offering a unique experience for up to 12 guests.

Baz Luhrmann, as quoted by Liam Hess, describes the carriage as a 'magical mystery carriage for Celia to dine in, throw parties, probably make out in the nooks and crannies,' adding that in the 1920s, these would have been 'stolen kisses in the shadows.' The interior features a bar area with a tasseled purple velvet sofa and dining spaces with green and maroon scalloped chairs, all set against a backdrop of whimsical wall patterns, according to the Vogue piece.

The marquetry walls, depicting kaleidoscopic patterns of flowers and fairies, were executed in collaboration with A Dunn & Son, a late 19th-century workshop known for its historical craftsmanship, including designs for the Titanic. Liam Hess further details that Catherine Martin oversaw the custom creation of every element, with components fabricated by various English artisans: furniture from Bill Cleyndert in Norfolk, glass from Tony Sandles in Essex, and embroideries from Hand & Lock in Fitzrovia.

Catherine Martin, writing in Vogue, explains that the carriage began as a 'derelict third-class carriage,' undergoing a complete transformation. She describes the assembly process as 'rather like a Meccano system where all the panels clicked in at the last minute,' highlighting the complex engineering challenges involved. The final sensory detail is a bespoke scent, subtly diffused in public areas and translated into amenities like soap and hand lotion, intended to evoke 'the presence of Celia in an unseen way,' as Martin shared with Vogue.

Our take: This collaboration with Luhrmann and Martin demonstrates Belmond's continued commitment to storytelling and theatricality within its luxury travel experiences. The integration of a narrative framework, particularly one deeply intertwined with literary and historical allusions, elevates the journey beyond mere transport into a curated, immersive performance. The attention to local craftspeople and the bespoke aroma further underscore a trend we've observed in high-end hospitality: a move towards multi-sensory engagement and the celebration of artisanal techniques. This project, much like Belmond's 'Venice Simplon-Orient-Express,' skillfully taps into a desire for romanticized, golden-age travel, meticulously re-imagined for the contemporary aesthete.