“La Mode en Majesté” Showcases the Elegance of Thai Heritage on the Global Stage
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya presided over the grand opening reception of the historic international exhibition, “La Mode en Majesté: Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity”, at the prestigious Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France, on 25 May 2026. The landmark exhibition celebrates the timeless beauty of Thai royal fashion while strengthening the long-standing diplomatic and cultural ties between Thailand and France.
Organized through a collaboration between Musée des Arts Décoratifs, The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, and the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACIT), under the royal patronage of Princess Sirivannavari, the exhibition commemorates the 340th anniversary of Thailand–France relations and the 170th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The exhibition presents an extraordinary journey through the evolution of Thai royal dress from the 1960s to the present day, highlighting the role of fashion as a powerful form of cultural diplomacy. Visitors can explore all eight styles of the iconic Thai national costume, alongside rare traditional brocades, exquisite handcrafted textiles, and royal garments belonging to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, designed by renowned Thai couturiers and legendary French fashion designer Pierre Balmain, founder of the globally acclaimed Balmain fashion house.
Also featured are royal ensembles worn by Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana and Princess Sirivannavari, as well as over 200 contemporary creations by leading Thai designers displayed across seven immersive galleries. Together, the exhibition reflects the dialogue between Thai craftsmanship and modern international fashion, reinforcing Thailand’s cultural identity on the world stage.
A major highlight of the exhibition is the presentation by the SIRIVANNAVARI brand within the “Contemporary Thai Designers” gallery. Personally curated by Princess Sirivannavari in collaboration with the curators of Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the showcase features three couture ensembles alongside intricate embroidery works from Sirivannavari Atelier & Academy.
Each design reinterprets traditional Thai dress through a modern luxury lens. Featured looks include:
- A regal evening gown crafted from gold-brocade Thai silk inspired by traditional Thai attire with dual shoulder drapes and delicate embroidery.
- A fitted silk mudmee dress with elegant draping and pleating, adorned with three-dimensional white champaca floral beadwork.
- A contemporary white jacket inspired by the classic Raj pattern menswear silhouette, enhanced with refined floral embroidery and paired with a draped skirt reflecting the artistry of traditional Thai wrapping techniques.
The SIRIVANNAVARI collections seamlessly blend Thai textiles, heritage craftsmanship, and international tailoring, embodying a sophisticated vision of Thai fashion that has consistently appeared on the global runway during Milan Fashion Week.
Open to the public until 1 November 2026 at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, “La Mode en Majesté: Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity” stands as a defining cultural milestone. The exhibition not only celebrates the richness of Thai heritage and royal craftsmanship, but also reinforces the enduring friendship between Thailand and France through the universal language of fashion, art, and culture.