Princess Sirivannavari Leads a historic exhibition in Paris, promoting Thailand's cultural heritage to a global audience.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya She is the patron of the international exhibition La Mode en Majesté. Royal Thai Dress From Tradition to Modernity, held from 13 May to 1 November 2026 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France. This event commemorates the 340th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 170th anniversary of the formal establishment of official diplomatic ties between Thailand and France.
The exhibition is a collaboration among the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization), the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. It features over 200 items, including royal skirts, accessories, and jewelry designed by French designer Pierre Balmain in cooperation with the Lesage embroidery atelier and Thai designers. The focus is on the development of royal court dress and its global representation, showcasing outfits worn by Queen Sirikit, Queen Suthida Patchrasuthaphimol, and Princess Sirivannavari, alongside the eight traditional royal Thai dress styles. These are presented together with exquisite Thai handicrafts, reflecting the meticulous wisdom and long-standing cultural heritage, and supporting the effort to register the royal Thai dress as intangible cultural heritage with UNESCO in 2026.
Assistant Professor Dr. Anucha Teerakanon, Director of the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACIT), stated this is the first time Thailand has exhibited royal garments and handicrafts in France. The exhibition gathers over 200 pieces, including royal outfits, ancient brocade fabrics, high-level handicrafts, historical photographs, and contemporary designs by Thai designers, serving as "powerful cultural ambassadors." Notably, the outfits of Queen Sirikit, long used as diplomatic tools to promote Thai culture internationally, are featured. The exhibition is curated by Béatrice Quette, curator of Asian and Islamic art collections at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
This exhibition is not merely a display of elegant attire but aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and promote Thailand’s image across various dimensions, including arts, crafts, and culture, to the French public and the world. It seeks to raise awareness and stimulate interest in Thai handicrafts while fostering pride in cultural roots among Thais at home and abroad. Importantly, it educates the public about the origins and styles of royal Thai dress, aligning with Thailand’s preparation to nominate these styles for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status in 2026.
To illustrate the cultural heritage passed down through the ages, Assistant Professor Dr. Anucha outlined the evolution of Thai women's dress over a thousand years, from the Dvaravati period through various adaptations. The royal Thai dress styles, established in 1960 by Queen Sirikit, originated from her desire to create a distinctive national costume for Thai women during official visits with King Bhumibol Adulyadej to the United States and Europe. These eight styles are named after important royal residences and halls.
Queen Sirikit also graciously appointed French designer Pierre Balmain to design and tailor royal outfits for these overseas visits, marking the beginning of an exquisite fusion of Thai aesthetics with French haute couture. These styles became the national costume for Thai women, gaining international exposure through prominent figures such as Apasra Hongsakul, Thailand’s first Miss Universe, during her participation in the competition in the United States. The styles have been widely accepted in Thai society as standard attire for various events, including wedding ceremonies, becoming a living cultural heritage that continues to be valued today.
SACIT encourages Thai people to wear royal Thai dress properly to support its recognition internationally, especially during the UNESCO consideration process. They also promote Social Practice—widespread social customs of wearing Thai dress—to create dynamic growth in handicrafts, representing a significant step in elevating Thai culture on the global stage.
SACIT invites the public to share images of themselves wearing royal Thai dress on social media with hashtags #ชุดไทยพระราชนิยม #SACIT #CHUDTHAI #RoyalThaiDress #expo_lamodeenmajeste to showcase the pride and exquisite cultural heritage of Thailand to the world. This is in conjunction with the historic exhibition La Mode en Majesté. Royal Thai Dress from Tradition to Modernity, running from 13 May to 1 November 2026 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France.