Photographer Berov I.
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La Mode en Majesté: Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity
13 May – 1 November 2026
Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD), Paris
This landmark exhibition presents over 200 royal garments and accessories, tracing the evolution of Thai court dress from tradition to modernity in dialogue with French haute couture. Held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, the show marks the 340th anniversary of Franco‑Thai relations and the 170th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties (1856).
Organized by SACIT, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris, and MAD Paris, the exhibition highlights fashion’s role as soft diplomacy. It features pieces from the wardrobes of Queen Sirikit, Queen Suthida, and Princess Sirivannavari, including designs by Pierre Balmain (in partnership with Lesage) and Thai creators around 50 Balmain archive items are shown in France for the first time.
All eight styles of “Chud Thai Phra Ratcha Niyom” the royally endorsed national costumes formalized under Queen Sirikit are displayed, showcasing silk weaving, embroidery, and artisanal techniques. The exhibition also advocates for this dress tradition to be inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2026.
Across 7 galleries, visitors can explore royal costumes, accessories, rare photographs, and archival materials in an immersive journey through Thai fashion history.
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