The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) highlights La Mode en Majesté Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity, on view from 13 May to 1 November 2026 at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Presented under the high patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, the exhibition marks the 340th anniversary of the first diplomatic mission between Siam and France and the 170th anniversary of Thai-French diplomatic relations.
La Mode en Majesté Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity is presented by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in partnership with the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles (QSMT) and the Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (SACIT), with support from the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris.
The exhibition brings together nearly 200 dresses, accessories, textiles, and photographs from royal collections, displayed across seven galleries, and charts the evolution of dress as a cultural bridge between Thailand and France.
The presentation centres on the lasting legacy of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Late Queen Mother, whose vision transformed Thai court attire and elevated Thai textiles on the global stage. Working with Thai historians, designers, and French couture houses, including Pierre Balmain and Lesage, Her Majesty helped establish the eight styles of Thai national dress, combining cultural authenticity with international refinement.
This legacy continues through sustained royal support for textile heritage and contemporary craftsmanship. Today, under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, the SUPPORT Foundation advances the preservation of traditional crafts and rural artisan livelihoods. Her Royal Highness further extends this cultural legacy through her commitment to contemporary Thai design and support of a new generation of artisans and designers.
A dedicated section explores the creative dialogue between Thai textile traditions and French haute couture. Thai silk, brocade, mat mii, embroidery, and traditional draping are presented alongside sketches, samples, and couture creations, illustrating how Thai court apparel evolved for international state occasions while retaining a distinct national identity.
The craftsmanship galleries feature Thai decorative arts integral to court attire, including lipao weaving, fan painting, niello work, gold damascening, Bencharong ceramic painting, and fine embroidery. Together, they reveal the technical mastery, material knowledge, and artistry underpinning royal Thai dress and its influence on contemporary design.
As part of the programme, SACIT presents Thai craft demonstrations at Musée des Arts Décoratifs. In May, these focus on embroidery, from traditional Thai split-stitch embroidery by a SUPPORT Foundation artisan, to cross-cultural work combining French Lunéville techniques with Thai decorative traditions by artisans and designers from SIRIVANNAVARI Atelier and Academy, founded by Her Royal Highness.
The demonstrations are being held from 13 to 17 May and from 22 to 24 May 2026, offering visitors close-up insight into contemporary Thai dress and textile artistry.
The final section presents contemporary Thai fashion as a living extension of national heritage. Ensembles worn or commissioned by Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness are shown alongside creations by leading Thai labels, including SIRIVANNAVARI, ASAVA, VATIT ITTHI, WISHARAWISH, TIRAPAN, and MESHMUSEUM.
Through royal dress, textile heritage, craftsmanship, and modern design, La Mode en Majesté Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity affirms Thailand’s cultural presence on the world stage while deepening the long-standing creative relationship between Thailand and France.
