It’s the end of an era. After nearly a decade at the helm of Dior’s women’s haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories collections, Maria Grazia Chiuri is stepping down, leaving an indelible mark on the House’s storied legacy.
In a statement on Thursday, Christian Dior Couture announced Chiuri’s departure, marking the close of a chapter defined by audacious creativity and a deeply feminist sensibility. “I extend my warmest thanks to Maria Grazia Chiuri, who, since her arrival at Dior, has accomplished tremendous work with an inspiring feminist perspective and exceptional creativity, all imbued with the spirit of Monsieur Dior, which allowed her to design highly desirable collections,” said Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture.
In a move that has sent ripples through the fashion world, Maria Grazia Chiuri—the first woman to ever lead Dior since its inception in 1947—had been appointed artistic director of the house’s men’s collections. Her storied trajectory, marked by audacity and grace, is set to redefine Dior’s codes of masculinity.
Chiuri’s fashion odyssey began in 1989 at Fendi, where she honed her craft in accessories, before moving to Valentino in 1999. There, she rose to co-creative director alongside Pierpaolo Piccioli in 2008, a partnership that captivated the industry. But it was her groundbreaking appointment at Dior in 2016 that truly cemented her place in fashion history. Not only did she become the first woman to helm the house, but she also transformed it into a platform for modern feminism.
Under her tenure, Chiuri brought a powerful, unapologetic celebration of womanhood to Dior’s runway. Each show was an artistic statement, often in collaboration with visionary female artists such as Judy Chicago, Faith Ringgold, Eva Jospin, and Mickalene Thomas. She transcended mere collections, diving deep into Dior’s archives, reviving the beloved Saddle Bag in 2018, and reimagining Marc Bohan’s iconic Miss Dior line for autumn/winter 2024.
Her reign has been marked by both artistic triumphs and the challenges of the shifting luxury landscape. Despite headwinds—including a 5% dip in LVMH’s fashion and leather goods division and Dior’s sales falling to €8.7 billion in 2024—Chiuri’s creative direction has remained a beacon of innovation. Dior, in turn, has fortified its leadership, with Benedetta Petruzzo stepping in as managing director and Pierre-Emmanuel Angeloglou as deputy CEO.
Yet Chiuri’s creative spirit extends far beyond the runway. In her rare moments of respite, she has dedicated herself to restoring Rome’s historic Teatro della Cometa—a labor of love that echoes her commitment to both heritage and modernity. Her recent Dior Resort 2026 show, described by Vogue Runway as “a heartfelt, nearly all-white celebration of Rome, her birthplace,” encapsulated her distinctive blend of classical elegance and contemporary resonance.
As she steps into this bold new role, Chiuri continues to embody the Dior woman—visionary, empowered, and unafraid to chart new frontiers.
