A Journey through Wes Anderson’s Color Palettes
Renowned for his dreamlike aesthetics and rhythmic narrative tone, Wes Anderson is what some might call a modern-day auteur. Inspired by the French New Wave cinematic movement, Anderson’s distinct style has captured the imagination of audiences and critics alike for more than two decades.
And now, with the #accidentallywesanderson trend blowing on social media where users reimagine their days in Anderson’s stylistic vision, it’s evident that the director has inspired a younger generation of digital creators. Though he recently expressed that he hasn’t seen any of the videos himself, there’s no doubt that this social media-savvy audience will be first in line to see The Phoenician Scheme.
Like many of his projects, The Phoenician Scheme boasts an all-star lineup, including Benicio del Toro, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Riz Ahmed, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Richard Ayoade, Rupert Friend, Hope Davis, and Benedict Cumberbatch. This gripping father-daughter espionage thriller will debut in limited theaters on May 30, 2025, followed by a wide release on June 6.
Undoubtedly, The Phoenician Scheme will show Anderson’s inventive spirit through his colorfully-curated sets. After all, Anderson’s taste has influenced more than cinema and social media; in 2015 he was asked to redesign the Bar Luce at the Fondazione Prada in Milan.
With an atmosphere that reflects a typical Milanese café, the restyled bar is a place of distinctive glamour and retro coolness. With vintage-inspired displays, mid-century light fixtures, and antique pinball machines, its character is undisputedly Anderson.
Speaking about his inspirations behind the project, the director mentioned that interior design has always been a major influence in his personal and professional life, “As a child I wanted to become an architect, so for me, this was a perfect moment where I could pretend to be one.” He explained, “While I do think it would make a pretty good movie set, I think it would be an even better place to write a movie. I tried to make it a bar I would want to spend my own non-fictional afternoons in.”
Anderson and Style, a Color Comparison
A master at telling stories with unique visuals, Anderson is renowned for his carefully crafted sets and meticulous eye for design. As we journey through the director's iconic style, our editors have hand-picked eyewear styles that evoke the color palettes of Wes Anderson’s cinematography.
The Darjeeling Limited, 2007
Offbeat yet sentimental, The Darjeeling Limited is about letting go of your baggage, literally. Starring Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman as three estranged brothers, the film narrates the men’s attempts to reconnect while travelling across India on a train.
Playfully colorful, the Swarovski SK6033 shades embody the movie’s saturated color scheme with their light cyan hue. Their statement shape echoes Anderson’s appreciation for the avant-garde.
Fantastic Mr. Fox, 2009
Marking Wes Anderson’s first foray into stop-motion animation, Fantastic Mr. Fox’s charm comes alive in the rich, autumnal color palette. Based on the Roald Dahl children’s book of the same name, the film is characterized by its playful characters, old-school nostalgia and classical storytelling.
The rich crystal orange of Cubitts Frith frames is a perfect match for the story’s key color notes, from Bean’s ‘melted gold’ cider to the orange shagginess of the Fox family’s fur.
Moonrise Kingdom, 2012
Set on a fictional island off the coast of New England in 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of Suzy and Sam, two twelve-year-olds who fall in love and run away together. Imbued with the certain melancholy of young love, the picture is filled with vintage-inspired silhouettes, from Suzy’s pink shift dress to Sam’s green scout suit.
Largely set outdoors, the film features a palette of earthy green colors, just like Marni Ha Long Bay sunnies. Delicately elegant, the glasses' gold metal rims, green lenses and square style radiate the same stylish confidence as Anderson’s coming-of-age adventure.
The Grand Budapest Hotel, 2014
Exploring themes of friendship, loyalty and nostalgia in post-war Europe, The Grand Budapest Hotel chronicles the story of the main character, a lobby boy who worked there in his youth. In place of lighter tones, this film is filled with striking reds, pinks and purples, colors so saturated that the scenes have a touch of the surreal.
Gucci GG1558SK shades tell a similar story with color: with their Spanish pink lenses and pink lace-toned rims, they are reminiscent of the picture’s sugary sweet tones.
Isle of Dogs, 2018
As Anderson’s second stop-animation feature film, Isle of Dogs has the same quirky characters as the previous Fantastic Mr. Fox. Animals are just as important in this story centered around a boy who travels to an island to save his beloved dog. While most scenes use darker tones of reds, grays and blacks, it's the striking pastel moments that highlight the director’s fascination with colors.
Scenes with buttery yellows and bubblegum pinks remind us of the two-tone contrasts of Miu Miu MU 52YS sunglasses. Similar to Anderson’s approach to filmmaking, this model blends an oval shape, gold metal material, and pink lenses.
The French Dispatch (2021)
Inspired by Anderson’s love for The New Yorker, The French Dispatch pulls from an array of dreamy vintage references with a star-studded cast. Black and white scenes are contrasted by carefully curated colors, making the pops of pastels even more dynamic throughout the film. Just glance at the character Roebuck Wright’s interview room: black and white shots are interspersed by greens, blues, and even the contrasting yellowish accent.
The combination of colors reminds us of the Prada PR 17WS sunnies in transparent sage. Matching the scene’s palette, these shades feature a green-tinted frame with grassy green lenses.
Asteroid City (2023)
Set against a dreamy desert backdrop, Asteroid City plays with a sun-faded pastel palette—chestnut browns, eggshell creams, and sunset-hued corals—mirroring the film’s nostalgic yet surreal energy.
Like a postcard from another era, its retrofuturistic aesthetic brings to mind Paul Smith’s Kenton sunglasses in coral. With their warm-toned frame and blue lenses, they perfectly capture the film’s atomic-age charm.