Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first woman to lead Dior’s women’s collections, has announced her departure as creative director after nine years at the French fashion house. Her tenure marked a transformative era characterized by bold feminist messaging, record sales, and industry-defining collections. Chiuri’s exit from Dior, confirmed through an Instagram post, signifies the end of an influential chapter that reshaped the brand’s creative direction and expanded its global appeal.
During her time at Dior, Chiuri led the brand through a period of commercial and cultural success, with revenues reportedly soaring by nearly $8 billion from 2017 to 2023. Her vision of empowered femininity struck a chord with a new generation of clientele, solidifying Dior’s position as a powerhouse in the fashion industry. In her departure announcement, Chiuri expressed gratitude for her teams and ateliers, acknowledging their role in realizing her vision of committed women’s fashion.
Under Chiuri’s creative direction, Dior saw a redefinition of the identity and femininity of the Dior woman. She celebrated and reimagined the brand’s iconic heritage and savoir-faire, leaving a lasting impact on the fashion world. Delphine Arnault, an executive at LVMH, praised Chiuri for her inspiring feminist perspective, exceptional creativity, and her contribution to Dior’s legacy, rooted in Monsieur Dior’s spirit.
Chiuri’s debut collection in Spring 2017 made headlines with its “We Should All Be Feminists” T-shirts, signaling a new era for the brand. She brought activism to the runway by collaborating with renowned artists like Judy Chicago and Faith Ringgold. Chiuri’s approach involved revitalizing Dior’s classics such as the Saddle Bag while amplifying women’s voices and narratives, blending the brand’s history with contemporary aesthetics.
Throughout her tenure, Chiuri showcased her collections across the globe, from Mumbai to Kyoto, emphasizing craftsmanship and community. Her final collection, Resort 2026, staged in Rome at Villa Torlonia, paid homage to Italian cinema and was accompanied by a film directed by Matteo Garrone. Chiuri’s departure from Dior marks the end of an era as she steps down as the first female creative director since the brand’s inception in 1947, setting the stage for a new chapter at one of fashion’s most influential maisons.
As Dior searches for Chiuri’s successor, speculations point towards Jonathan Anderson, who recently assumed leadership of Dior’s men’s collections. Chiuri’s departure is part of a broader trend of creative changes at major fashion houses, including Pierpaolo Piccioli’s recent appointment as creative director at Balenciaga. Chiuri and Piccioli, who were once co-creative directors at Valentino, exemplify the shifting landscape of leadership in the fashion industry, paving the way for new voices and perspectives to shape the future of luxury fashion.
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