Celebrate Wes Anderson at the Design Museum.
Wes Anderson is best known for his quirky cinematography and unique directorial style. Once a fan favourite amongst indie, postmodern movie lovers, he has now found his way into the mainstream. He has expanded his global reach and become the subject of a brand-new exhibition. Wes Anderson: The Archives at the Design Museum provides visitors with the opportunity to get close to memorabilia from the last thirty years of his films.
Open from now until 26 July 2026, this landmark exhibition displays over 700 objects from his filmography. The focus is more specifically on his twelve feature films. This is the first time most of these objects will be displayed in the UK. The items include original storyboards, photographs, sketches, paintings, handwritten notes, puppets, miniature models, costumes worn by key characters, and more.
Step inside Wes Anderson’s magical world and fall in love with his work all over again. Here are our highlights from Wes Anderson: The Archives.
A candy-pink model of the Grand Budapest Hotel
Perhaps the highlight of the exhibition is the monumental candy-pink model of the Grand Budapest Hotel. This was used to capture the building’s façade for the 2014 film. The Oscars later nominated the film for Best Picture. Spanning over three metres in width, the model is eye-catching and intricately made – truly representing Anderson’s love and dedication to his craft.
The FENDI fur coat worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in The Royal Tenenbaums
Paltrow wore this iconic coat when playing Margot Tenenbaum in the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums. Incredibly chic and gloriously boujee, the coat is a staple of Anderson’s movies. It is just one of the many items across a wide range of costumes displayed in the exhibition. From The Darjeeling Limited to The French Dispatch, the wardrobes on show are jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Stop-motion puppets in Fantastic Mr Fox and Isle of Dogs
Display cases line up the entire cast of puppets used for Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs. We spent a lot of time here, pressed up to the glass, taking in every minute detail of the puppets and props. Visitors can even see Mr Fox in his signature corduroy suit, with show dog Nutmeg alongside him. After guests gaze at the impressive stop-motion puppets, they can explore exactly how the creators planned each shot, using diagrams that show the movements and expressions of various characters.
A screening of Bottle Rocket
Visitors get a unique chance to watch a screening of Anderson’s Bottle Rocket, the short film that later became his first feature. Made in 1993 with Anderson’s long-time film partner Owen Wilson, the full fourteen-minute film is available to watch and enjoy.
The vending machines from Asteroid City
At the end of the exhibition, visitors get an up-close look at the series of iconic pastel vending machines made for the 2023 film Asteroid City. As always with Anderson’s work, they are imaginative and innovative – ranging from vodka martini machines to Campbell’s soup to ammunition dispensers. An aesthetically pleasing finish to an extraordinary exhibition.
Tickets for Wes Anderson: The Archives at the Design Museum are available to now.
GO: Visit https://designmuseum.orgfor more information.