The Musée des Arts décoratifs presents a groundbreaking exhibition on the evolution of dress at the Thai court, featuring pieces from the royal collection.
Bringing together more than one hundred exceptional garments and accessories, the exhibition showcases the royal wardrobes, highlighting the eight styles of traditional Thai dress designed by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in collaboration with a team of Thai historians and local designers. The exhibition also explores the unique history of this cultural and artistic dialogue, shaped by more than thirty years of collaboration between Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and fashion designer Pierre Balmain, and later continued with the houses of Balmain and Lesage. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile in Thailand and SACIT (Sustainable Art and Craft Institute of Thailand). It forms part of the celebrations marking the 340th anniversary of the first diplomatic relations and the 170th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and Thailand. Since the 1960s, Queen Sirikit has maintained close ties with leading French and European fashion houses. Passionate about fashion, she played a central role in modernizing court dress, presenting her creations during official trips with King Rama IX. With the help of Pierre Balmain, she reinvented Thai royal elegance, preserving its heritage while giving it international appeal. This exhibition presents a selection of pieces from the wardrobes of the royal family. It offers a unique insight into Thailand’s rich artisanal traditions in textiles, jewelry, and accessories. Committed to preserving tradition, Queen Sirikit worked tirelessly to safeguard her country’s textile arts and crafts, leading to the creation of the SUPPORT Foundation. Today, the Foundation is under the patronage of Queen Suthida, who continues to champion and expand its mission, while Queen Sirikit’s granddaughter, Princess Sirivannavari, carries on this legacy as a fashion designer by supporting the younger generation of Thai designers. She encourages contemporary innovation and promotes the use of traditional textiles. This exhibition invites visitors to discover the exceptional diversity and beauty of Thai silk fabrics and court dress, which bear witness to a unique family and cultural history, as well as the fruitful exchanges between France and Thailand.
Source: paris.fr — photo: Musée des Arts Décoratifs