When fashion meets heritage, the result can be transformative. That is precisely what the upcoming exhibition on the “Royal Thai dress” promises: a tribute to the elegant vision of Queen Sirikit of Thailand and a showcase of how clothing became a vessel of national identity.
In the 1960s, Queen Sirikit set out to create a modern national costume for Thai women, which was a wardrobe that honored tradition yet was refined, practical, and globally appropriate. Prior to that, Western-style clothing had largely replaced traditional garments for many Thais. What the Queen did was revisit centuries-old Thai dress traditions: the hip-wrapper (phaa nung), the elegant shoulder cloth (sabai), long skirts, and classical fabrics, then reimagine them using modern dressmaking techniques. The result: a distinct “formal Thai national costume,” or “chut thai” that stands proudly among other national dress traditions worldwide.
Arts Décoratifs’ upcoming exhibition will shed light on this legacy. Central to the exhibition are eight canonical styles of national dress, the very ones conceptualized by Queen Sirikit in the 1960s. Visitors will encounter the full breadth of her vision: from sleek, formal evening gowns to traditional ensembles rooted in royal and court attire, each rendered with painstaking detail and cultural reverence.
Among these styles are the refined draped elegance of the Thai Chakri Dress, the dignified simplicity of the Thai Boromphiman Dress, the stately silhouette of the Thai Siwalai Dress, and, less often seen but equally significant, dresses like the Thai Chitlada Dress and the Thai Ruean Ton Dress.
But this exhibition is more than simply a parade of beautiful clothing. The exhibition is a reflection of the interplay between identity, textiles, and preservation. The collections featured are built upon the fundamentals of traditional silk-weaving, craftsmanship from the different regions represented in the show, and the knowledge passed down from generation to generation through artisanship.
The craftsmanship itself deserves admiration. Many dresses were crafted in collaboration with skilled artisans and experts, weaving in traditional silk from diverse Thai regions. Certain brands are utilizing local artisanal crafting methods to incorporate everyday materials from rural areas into their collections. These brands provide the means for these rural communities to make a living, thus creating a remarkable combination of art and positive social change.
Moreover, this revival and celebration of the national dress is timely. As fashion from all over the world continues to expand outwards at ever-increasing speeds, consumers are becoming more and more savvy. The exhibition allows for greater visibility of the rich history of Thai national costume. The exhibition will allow consumers the opportunity to experience and explore the elegance, versatility, dignity, subtlety, and unique identity of Thai national dress.
For visitors, the show promises more than static mannequins. Expect archival photographs, historical context, and narratives that recount how these garments moved from the royal halls of Bangkok out into the world. Through this lens, clothing becomes a narrative about national identity, modernization, diplomacy, and heritage.
This exhibition honors both the royal elegance and traditions of Thailand, as well as the nation itself, through the work of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. The “Royal Thai Dress” represents fashion that reflects both the past and present of Thailand and also continues to illustrate the depth of Thailand’s cultural heritage. For anyone who appreciates fashion, textiles, and/or cultural heritage, this museum is a unique chance to see how clothing has evolved from being just about looking beautiful to also being an expression of who you are.
As the exhibition prepares to open its doors, one question lingers in the air: if Queen Sirikit could redefine a nation’s identity through fabric and form six decades ago, what new chapter in Thai fashion might this revival inspire next?
