La Mode en Majesté: Haute Couture and Tradition at the Court of Thailand at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs celebrates more than three decades of creative collaboration between Queen Sirikit of Thailand and the French couture house of Pierre Balmain.
The exhibition reveals a fascinating dialogue between Thai textile traditions and Parisian haute couture. Alongside the exquisite garments designed by Balmain for the Queen, visitors can admire the original design sketches and notice how they have been adapted to suit the Thai royal court and the Queen’s taste. There’s also a thrilling showcase of marvellous embroidery samples created by Maison Lesage. These beautifully crafted embellishments were designed to complement, rather than overpower, the extraordinary Thai silks, allowing the richness of the woven fabrics to remain at the heart of each creation.
The evolution of royal Thai dress is illustrated through more than 100 exceptional garments and accessories from the royal collections. The silks, goldwork, intricate weaves, and symbolic motifs are breathtaking. Displaying traditional Thai dress alongside Balmain's couture highlights Queen Sirikit's remarkable vision and pivotal role in changing court fashion while preserving Thailand's remarkable textile heritage. Seeing these alongside familiar European silhouettes offers a compelling perspective on how couture can be thoughtfully adapted across cultures.
More than anything, the exhibition celebrates the creative dialogue between designer and client, showing how artistry, craft, and visionary collaboration can create beautiful, thoughtful and meaningful Haute Couture fashion.
