On May 29, French luxury maison Dior officially announced the departure of Maria Grazia Chiuri. Since 2016, Chiuri had served as the artistic director of Dior’s women’s collections and was known as the first female creative director in the brand’s history. During her tenure, the brand achieved significant growth.
Originally from Italy, Chiuri began her career as a handbag designer at Fendi before moving to Valentino. In 2008, she was appointed co-creative director at Valentino alongside Pierpaolo Piccioli. She joined Dior in 2016, taking charge of women’s collections across ready-to-wear, haute couture, and accessories.
Her debut collection at Dior revolved around the themes of “modern feminism” and “femininity,” values that would continue to underpin her work at the house. One of the most iconic pieces from that first show was a T-shirt boldly printed with the phrase “We Should All Be Feminists.”
Upon announcing her departure, Chiuri commented, “After nine years, I am leaving @dior delighted to have been given this extraordinary opportunity. I would like to thank Monsieur Arnault for placing his trust in me and Delphine for her support.”
She further reflected on her time at Dior with the following words:
“I am particularly grateful for the work accomplished by my teams and the ateliers. Their talent and expertise allowed me to realize my vision of committed women’s fashion, in close dialogue with several generations of female artists. Together, we have written a remarkable and impactful chapter of which I am immensely proud.”
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Indeed, during her time at Dior, Chiuri initiated a number of collaborations with female artists such as Mickalene Thomas, Judy Chicago, and Joana Vasconcelos. Her shows across the globe spotlighted the creativity of local artists and artisans, earning global attention.
Chiuri’s final show for the house was the 2026 Cruise Collection, held just two days before the announcement. The show took place in her hometown of Rome — marking the first time she had staged a Dior presentation there during her tenure, a fitting and symbolic closing to this chapter of her career.
While her successor has yet to be announced, the industry is speculating that Jonathan Anderson, who was appointed head of Dior’s menswear in April 2024 after leading Loewe, may also take over the women’s division.
Maria Grazia Chiuri’s nine-year journey at Dior was a powerful era of feminist storytelling and reinterpretation of the house’s icons. Her legacy — elevating women’s voices and visibility through fashion — will undoubtedly remain deeply embedded in the maison’s future path.
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