Fans of Wes Anderson and obsessive attention to detail, rejoice. The Design Museum in London will open the UK’s first major retrospective of the director this November, showcasing over 600 original objects from his three-decade career. Titled Wes Anderson: The Archives, the exhibition offers a comprehensive look at Anderson’s instantly recognisable work through models, costumes, sketches, props, as well as behind-the-scenes materials; many of which have never been publicly displayed in the UK.
Central to the exhibition is the large-scale model of the Grand Budapest Hotel façade, used during production of the 2014 film. Measuring over three metres wide, it exemplifies Anderson’s preference for practical effects and hand-built set pieces. Also on view will be detailed storyboards, original artwork, handwritten notes, and character costumes; including the fur coat worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in The Royal Tenenbaums and stop-motion puppets from his masterpieces Fantastic Mr. Fox and Isle of Dogs.
Model of THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL
© Thierry Stefanopoulos – La Cinémathèque française.
Tracy’s puppet (detail), Arch Model Studio, ISLE OF DOGS. Photo, Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum.
Richie Tenenbaum poster, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS. Photo Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum.
Arranged chronologically, the exhibition begins with Anderson’s debut short Bottle Rocket (1996) and extends through to The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023). A very rare treat for Anderson fans will be a screening of his aforementioned debut, starring long-time collaborator Owen Wilson, with visitors able to glimpse the whole 14-minute cut in the exhibition gallery.
Objects from each film are presented in individual sections, offering insight into the director’s evolving use of colour, symmetry, and set design. Highlights include the vending machines from Asteroid City (2023), a curated display of puppets in various scales, and examples of Anderson’s collaboration with craftspeople across animation, fashion, and production design.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the Design Museum, la Cinémathèque française, and Wes Anderson himself. Drawing on materials the director has preserved since the beginning of his career, much of which has remained in storage until now, it is set to open a veritable treasure trove for all from movie buffs to design aficionados and all in between.
Wes Anderson: The Archives will be on show at The Design Museum from 21 November 2025 to 26 July 2026.
Vending machines, Atelier Simon Weisse, ASTEROID CITY. Photo Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum>
Miniature motorcycle of Mr. Fox, Arch Model Studio, FANTASTIC MR. FOX. Photo Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum.
THE FRENCH DISPATCH magazines.
Photo Roger Do Minh. © the Design Museum.
Miniature washing machines, ISLE OF DOGS. Photo Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum.
Sam Shakuski’s Scout kit, MOONRISE KINGDOM. Photo Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum.
Max Fischer’s RUSHMORE Swiss Army knife.
Photo Roger Do Minh. © the Design Museum.
Miniature model and sign of the train, THE DARJEELING LIMITED, and blackboard depicting the Solar System, ASTEROID CITY. Photo Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum.
Rat puppet, Arch Model Studio, FANTASTIC MR. FOX. Photo Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum.
“François Voltaire” suitcases of the Whitman brothers. Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton.
“wildlife” print designed by Eric Chase Anderson. THE DARJEELING LIMITED.
Photo Roger Do Minh. © the Design Museum.
Miniature model of a train. THE DARJEELING LIMITED. Photo Richard Round-Turner. © the Design Museum.
Boy with Apple, by Johannes Van Hoytl the Younger. Artist: Michael Taylor. 2014. From THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL.
