The Design Museum in London has opened a major new exhibition, 'Wes Anderson: The Archives'. This retrospective showcases over 700 objects from the acclaimed filmmaker's career, spanning three decades. Visitors can see iconic props, costumes, and personal archives, offering an unprecedented look into Anderson's distinctive cinematic worlds.
Key Takeaways
- Over 700 objects from Wes Anderson's 30-year career are on display.
- The exhibition includes previously unseen items from his latest film, 'The Phoenician Scheme'.
- It features a three-meter-wide model of the Grand Budapest Hotel facade.
- Many items from the Paris exhibition have been expanded for the London show.
- The exhibition runs from November 21, 2025, to July 26, 2026.
A Deep Dive into Anderson's Cinematic Universe
The exhibition, which opened on November 21, 2025, and will run until July 26, 2026, marks the first public display of Wes Anderson's archives in the United Kingdom. It brings together a vast collection of materials from all his films, including his earliest work, 'Bottle Rocket' (1996), up to his most recent, 'The Phoenician Scheme' (2025).
Anderson has meticulously preserved thousands of items from each production. This habit began after he realized that many props from his debut film, 'Bottle Rocket', were lost or dispersed. Since 'Rushmore' (1998), he has acted as the custodian of every crafted element, ensuring even the smallest on-screen objects remain intact.
Exhibition by the Numbers
- 700+ objects on display.
- 300+ new pieces added for the London edition not seen in Paris.
- 3 meters wide: the scale model of the Grand Budapest Hotel facade.
- 30 years of filmmaking covered.
Exclusive Glimpses of 'The Phoenician Scheme'
A significant highlight of the London exhibition is the inclusion of objects from Anderson's latest feature film, 'The Phoenician Scheme'. This marks the first time items from this new production have been shown in a museum setting.
Visitors can see more than two dozen items, including a Dunhill pipe and a jeweled dagger. This dagger was crafted by the artist Harumi Klossowska de Rola. These pieces provide a fresh perspective on Anderson's ongoing creative process.
"The inclusion of these objects from The Phoenician Scheme is a fitting conclusion of this expansive exhibition," stated curators Lucia Savi and Johanna Agerman Ross. "We are thrilled that we can bring this latest chapter in Wes Anderson’s story to visitors."
The film's protagonist, Anatole 'Zsa-Zsa' Korda, is a devoted collector within the narrative. This character mirrors Anderson's own lifelong instinct to gather and preserve the elements of his films.
Anderson's Archival Instinct
Wes Anderson's dedication to archiving his work is unusual in filmmaking. Most production companies disperse props and costumes after a film is completed. His personal commitment ensures that the intricate details and physical artifacts that define his unique aesthetic are saved for future study and appreciation.
Iconic Props and Costumes from Beloved Films
The exhibition features many striking displays from across Anderson's filmography. A central piece is the three-meter-wide model of the Grand Budapest Hotel facade, which was used during the filming of the 2014 movie. This monumental candy-pink model greets visitors upon entry.
Nearby, visitors will find the vending machines from 'Asteroid City' (2023) and the FENDI fur coat worn by Gwyneth Paltrow as Margot Tenenbaum in 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001). Original puppets of fantastical sea creatures from 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' (2004) are also on display.
The exhibition reunites the 'Boy with Apple' painting from 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' with costumes worn by Ralph Fiennes as concierge Gustave H and Tilda Swinton as Madame D. This arrangement helps to illuminate how Anderson builds character through design.
Costumes and Puppets
Costumes are a crucial part of Anderson's world-building. The exhibition features a wide array, including Milena Canonero’s Oscar-winning ensembles from 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. Uniforms from 'Rushmore', the Zissou crew’s full outfits, and looks worn by Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Benicio del Toro are also present.
A large selection of puppets from his stop-motion films, 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' (2009) and 'Isle of Dogs' (2018), provides insight into the meticulous labor behind these productions. Visitors can see Mr. Fox in his corduroy suit and the show dog Nutmeg.
Tracing a Filmmaker's Evolution
The exhibition is laid out chronologically, allowing visitors to trace Anderson's evolution from the 1990s through 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar' (2023) and 'The Phoenician Scheme' (2025). Each film occupies its own dedicated section, showcasing original storyboards, polaroids, sketches, and Anderson’s spiral-bound notebooks filled with handwritten ideas and scene studies.
Three key short films are screened in full: 'Bottle Rocket' (1993), 'Hotel Chevalier' (2007), and 'Castello Cavalcanti' (2013). The short film 'The Swan' from Anderson’s 2023 Roald Dahl anthology is also featured. These screenings highlight his evolving use of the short-form format, from early collaborations with Owen Wilson to later partnerships with Prada.
The 14-minute original 'Bottle Rocket' short is a notable highlight for many visitors. It is rarely shown and was foundational to the filmmaker’s early development.
The Power of Collaboration
A major theme explored in the exhibition is the importance of Anderson’s long-standing collaborators. These include illustrators Javi Aznarez and Eric Chase Anderson, composers Alexandre Desplat and Randall Poster, production designers Mark Friedberg and Adam Stockhausen, costume designer Milena Canonero, model maker Simon Weisse, and puppet fabricator Andy Gent, among many others.
"It is an absolute gift that even as a young film-maker Wes Anderson had the vision and foresight to save all his props and beautifully crafted objects for his own archive," noted Johanna Agerman Ross, one of the curators.
Tim Marlow, Director of the Design Museum, added that Anderson’s attention to detail "is underpinned by an acute understanding of design and craftsmanship, which is why the Design Museum is the perfect location for this landmark retrospective."
While a version of the exhibition premiered in Paris earlier this year, the London edition is significantly expanded and re-imagined. The additional 300+ objects and a new interpretive focus offer a deeper look into the craftsmanship behind Anderson’s world-building. This includes everything from the texture of fabrics to the engineering of miniatures and the layering of references that shape each narrative universe.
An accompanying catalogue, produced with Anderson, extends the exhibition’s themes. It includes essays, interviews, and photography, featuring voices from collaborators like Owen Wilson, Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Alexandre Desplat, Seu Jorge, and Randall Poster.