In the 1960s and 1970s, Queen Sirikit of Thailand was often voted as one of the most beautiful and best-dressed women in the world. Through her Support Foundation she has helped restore the Thai silk industry to its rightful place in Thailand's commercial success, and has provided employment and a new future to over 100,000 rural women.
During her early trips to the USA and Europe, accompanying His Majesty King Bhumiphol Adulyadej, the queen wished to showcase the beauty of Thai silk and commissioned the French couturier, Pierre Balmain to create outfits in both Western and Thai styles, the latter being inspired by historic models. These exquisite costumes are now housed in the magnificent Queen Sirikit Textile Museum in Bangkok, in the grounds of the Grand Palace, and are thus on show for visitors to enjoy and marvel at.
This book features all of these costumes and more, as well as a fascinating section of historical photography, an historical account of Thai costume and Thai silk brocade.
