Spring Clean: New Luster for Wax Figures at the Panoptikum - Hamburg's Panoptikum Wax Museum Gets a Glowing Makeover for Reeperbahn's 400th
Hamburg's famous Panoptikum wax museum is giving its 120 figures an annual refresh. The makeover includes everything from laundering clothes to restyling hair and fixing minor damage. This year's work also marks the museum's focus on Hamburg's Reeperbahn for its 400th anniversary.
The museum closed its doors on January 12 for the 'spring refresh' and will reopen on January 29. Under the supervision of Carmen Delhougne, stylist Henriette Masmeier and assistant Susanne Faerber lead the two-day process.
All 120 wax figures receive fresh hair styling, including washing, curling, and brushing. Eleven wigs—one belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth II—were shampooed and recoloured. Clothing is laundered, shoes polished, and hats dusted, while small repairs, like fixing scratches on figures such as Helene Fischer and Julia Roberts, are carried out. The Panoptikum places special emphasis on figures linked to Hamburg's Reeperbahn this year, tying into the district's 400th anniversary celebrations.
The annual makeover ensures the wax figures remain in top condition for visitors. After two days of detailed work, the exhibition will welcome guests again from January 29. The refreshed display will highlight both historical and contemporary figures connected to Hamburg's iconic Reeperbahn.
