TRANSPORT

ABOVE: In 2023, the Orient Express La Dolce Vita trains will begin traversing Italy. OPPOSITE: With interiors designed by Dimorestudio, the train cars cross the historic elegance of train travel with the modern conveniences of the 21st century.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Dimorestudio’s designs for the revived Orient Express trains bring glamour back to railway travel.

By Rachel Gallaher

THIS PAGE: Dimorestudio looked to the masters of midcentury Italian architecture and design as inspiration for their work. These communal cars embrace the use of curves and geometric shapes, much like the designs of late architect Gio Ponti. OPPOSITE: The overnight accommodations on the Orient Express La Dolce Vita emulate the spirited, layered interiors of the 1960s and ’70s, with a streamlined, contemporary finish.

For the most part, traveling by train is a utilitarian experience. The seats are cramped, meals arrive wrapped in plastic, and overnight accommodations feel akin to summer-camp bunks. We’ve all heard about the storied days of sophisticated railway travel, and in 2023, the French hotel group Accor, in partnership with Italian hospitality group Arsenale, will revive that era of luxury with the debut of the Orient Express La Dolce Vita.

With six trains and several itineraries, the tours will travel through 14 regions from northern to southern Italy, and three dedicated journeys will connect Italy to Paris, Istanbul, and Split. Designed by Milan-based Dimorestudio, the trains will pay tribute to “La Dolce Vita,” an iconic period of artistic output in Italy during the 1960s. For the cars’ interiors, which feature bold geometric shapes, layered patterns and textures, and vibrant colors (from purples and oranges to aquamarine, cherry red, and baby blue), Dimorestudio founders Emiliano Salci and Britt Moran took inspiration from the masters of Italian design, including Carlo Scarpa, Gio Ponti, and Ignazio Gardella, as well as prominent artists of the spatialism movement.

“The spaces are thoughtfully designed and well-curated without being ostentatious,” Salci and Moran note. “Every element should feel like it has always belonged there, to create a sense of sophisticated depth and visual weights that can be interpreted as layers of exclusiveness. The subtle details complement one other and flow effortlessly.” h