The Costume Art Exhibition
AURUM’s Autumn–Winter 2026 collection premiered as “Stage of Soul” – The Costume Art Exhibition at Bangkok’s Atelier 9 (20–25 June 2026). Rather than a runway show, the brand transformed its couture pieces into immersive art installations—hand-crafted dresses adorned with 3D roses, a gilded mannequin sculpture, and scent installations—exploring themes of memory, identity and Thai craftsmanship. The opening night (20 June) drew an invited crowd of fashion and art insiders, while social media buzz under tags like #AurumAW26 and #StageOfSoul praised the exhibition’s poetic blend of couture and fine art.
From 20–25 June 2026, AURUM unveiled its debut AW26 collection as Stage of Soul, a “costume art” exhibition at the contemporary Atelier 9 gallery in Bangkok. In lieu of a traditional runway, designer Por Khaneungnit (Aurum’s founder) and her team presented each silhouette as a gallery piece. Garments were suspended and arranged like art objects, inviting guests to circulate and contemplate them up close. The setting itself was spare and white – more art-installation than boutique – accentuating each piece’s sculptural form.
The collection drew inspiration from Thai heritage and personal memory. Each outfit served as a journey “between desire and silence,” the designer has said. Standout looks included a black-and-ivory ensemble cascading with vivid, three-dimensional paper roses along a long stem, as if the dress itself were blooming. Elsewhere, a black evening gown on a golden mannequin sculpture (centerpiece) stood atop a mound of pink and red roses, with inky black iris-shaped petals enveloping the figure. These set pieces blurred the line between fashion and fine art: attendees noted it was impossible to tell where the “garment” ended and the “sculpture” began.
Scent played a role too. A corner curated by GANDA Scent & Object offered fragrances named “Endless Rose” and “Old Picture,” linking olfactory notes to the exhibition’s theme of memory. As guests wandered, soft floral perfumes underscored the show’s contemplative mood. Handwritten wall text (a nod to Paul Poiret’s dictum) reminded visitors that each signed garment was “a work of art” in its own right.
About 50–100 invited guests attended the opening reception on 20 June, a mix of Bangkok’s fashion press, local designers, and creative friends. Many shared live photos on Instagram, using #StageOfSoul and #TheCostumeArt, remarking on the exhibit’s “quietly powerful” atmosphere. Some noted the installation’s “exploration of soul” – linking one’s wardrobe to personal narrative. Though no exact attendance figure is available, the exhibition was described as an intimate affair: warm candlelight, soft music, and attentive hosts in Aurum black tee-shirts greeted visitors.
Over the following days, the exhibition was open to the public (free entry, 11am–8pm), functioning as both a pop-up store and an art show. By closing on 25 June, Stage of Soulhad offered a fresh approach to fashion presentation – one that favored reflection and craftsmanship over spectacle. As one critic wrote, it felt “less like a fashion show and more like a modern art exhibit,” perfectly in line with AURUM’s ethos of “quiet luxury” and storytelling through design.
