Train enthusiasts around the world will be able to experience Europe’s most iconic rail journey thanks to state-of-the-art virtual reality technology at this year’s Miami Design Fair.
A highlight of the showcase will undoubtedly be the unveiling of the presidential suite, an elegant new project led by architect Maxime d'Angeac. The great revolutionary artistic movements of the past few centuries and a love of historical travel books inspired the talented designer, who is best known for carrying out intricate restoration and design projects for fashion houses including Hermès and Guerlain.
"The Orient Express presidential suite captures the essence of the future train," Maxime explained. “It is a work carved out of excess, inspired by the geniuses and pioneers of Art Deco, Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann and Armand-Albert Rateau, and by the importance of refinement and the absolute finesse of detail. It is a Suite where travellers can experience history, extreme luxury and ultimate comfort all at once."
The presidential suite occupies an entire cart of the former Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express, measuring 69 feet long by nine feet wide, with a total square footage of 55 metres.
Lalique panels characterise the sumptuous interiors, while a gas fireplace provides warmth for when the train trundles through chilly territory. The spacious bedroom is wrapped in embroidered velvet and decorated with custom-made furniture; the elegant bathroom’s design is a tribute to Albert-Armand Rateau’s work and is dedicated to Jeanne Lanvin.
Chairman and CEO of Accor Sébastien Bazin said about the unveiling, "The Orient Express legend unveils its secrets at the heart of a major international design fair [Design Miami]. At the crossroads of creativity and a healthy imagination, Orient Express has found the best setting to unveil the exclusive decor of a presidential suite that will mark the history of train travel and continue the Orient Express legend with authenticity and unparalleled luxury.”
The Orient Express pop-up, bathed in the company’s signature midnight blue, invites curious travellers to explore the carriages of the future, from the bar car to the restaurant car. The immersive experience and unveiling is the latest in a series of exciting recent developments for the Orient Express. The Orient Express La Dolce Vita experience, a new 11-car train set to transport luxury travellers along Italy’s coast, is launching in 2024. Modern design has been influenced by the joie de vivre of the 1960s, and passengers can expect to dine on mirrored tables among palates of ochre and sapphire.
As if the luxury of the rail journey wasn’t aspirational enough, Orient Express is also set to open a handful of uber-stylish hotels over the coming years. Starting with the opening of Orient Express La Minerva in Rome and Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice in 2024, the brand has already set its sights on up-and-coming Saudi Arabia, announcing a project in Riyadh after the kingdom began making it much easier for international travellers to visit.
The Orient Express immersive experience can be found at the 18th edition of the Miami Design Fair from Wednesday 30 November – Sunday 4 December 2022.