- Interior
- Outdoor & travel
With the launch of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the concept of luxury takes on a new dimension on rails. The latest addition to the legendary Orient Express universe allows passengers to travel across Italy in surroundings that are as refined as they are seductive. Behind the design of this moving interior masterpiece is the Milan-based Dimorestudio, which approached the project as a visual narrative about memory, timelessness, and contemporary elegance.
Dimorestudio was founded in 2003 by Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, two designers with a distinctive sense of atmosphere and materiality. Their work is built on associative layers of past and present, craftsmanship and culture, high-end design and personal references. The studio works internationally on residential, retail and hospitality projects, and also has its own furniture and textile line under the name Dimoremilano. Their approach is characterised by a subtle sense of nostalgia, without veering into retro. Instead, they create timeless settings that feel as though they have always existed. 
For La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Dimorestudio translated the grandeur of 1960s and 1970s Italian design into a contemporary expression of luxury. Materials such as glossy lacquered wood, soft velvet, polished brass and mirrors are used to evoke a mood reminiscent of faded film stills and the tactile opulence of the past. The bar carriage, with its velvet seating in flowing lines and a harlequin-patterned wall, breathes the playful glamour of a bygone era. The chosen colour palette – deep burgundy, mustard, petrol blue and soft grey – gives each compartment its own character and rhythm.
The atmosphere is layered and considered, as if each object has found its place naturally.
The train features 31 cabins, including 18 suites and one exclusive La Dolce Vita Suite. The suite cabins (11 m²) combine soft textures with geometric furniture, antique mirrors and lacquered ceilings. In the compact yet luxurious Deluxe Compartments, sofas transform into comfortable beds, framed by warm wood tones and reflective surfaces. Each cabin has its own bathroom with shower. The atmosphere is layered and considered, as if each object has found its place naturally. 
La Dolce Vita Orient Express departs from Rome and offers eight different routes through Italy, with stops in cities such as Venice, Palermo and Portofino. Along the way, it is not only the landscape that is experienced, but also a cultural heritage, reflected in every form and texture on board. The restaurant seats forty guests per sitting, while the lounge bar features live music accompanied by a glass of wine. On this unique journey, design is not merely a backdrop — it becomes an integral part of the experience.
Photography by Mr. Tripper
Text by Carolien Depamelaere