Maria Grazia Chiuri, the inaugural female leader of Dior’s women’scollections,announcedonThursdaythat shewillstepdownascreative directorafternineyearsatthe prestigiousFrenchfashionhouse.
The Italian designer announced her exit via an Instagram post, concluding a revolutionary period marked by daring feminist statements, unprecedented sales figures, and landmark fashion lines.
At 60 years old, Chiuri leaves an indelible mark on Dior, having transformed its artistic trajectory and expanded its international influence. After joining in 2016, she guided the brand into a period marked by remarkable financial and cultural achievements. Figures suggest revenues climbed by approximately $8 billion between 2017 and 2023 due to the alignment of Chiuri’s concept of confident womanhood with the tastes of younger consumers.
“I hold deep appreciation for the efforts put forth by my teams and workshops. The skill and knowledge they brought enabled me to bring my concept of socially conscious women’s wear into reality, engaging closely with multiple generations of talented female artists,” she stated in her post. “Collectively, we’ve penned an exceptional and influential segment of our journey, one that fills me with immense pride.”
The fashion house stated that Chiuri “reshaped the essence and femininity of the Dior woman, honored and reinvented the brand’s legendary legacy and craftsmanship.”
Delphine Arnault, an LVMH executive, expressed gratitude to Chiuri for her “remarkable efforts” and noted that she brought “a compelling feminist viewpoint coupled with extraordinary creativity, perfectly reflecting the ethos of Monsieur Dior.”
Arnault mentioned that Chiuri created “highly coveted collections” and has penned an important part of Christian Dior’s legacy, highlighting that she was the brand’s inaugural female designer for the women’s lines.
Chiuri’s inaugural collection for Spring 2017 grabbed attention with “We Should All Be Feminists” T-shirts, marking a fresh chapter for Dior. By infusing activism into fashion shows, she teamed up with artists including Judy Chicago and Faith Ringgold. Chiuri also reintroduced iconic pieces like the Saddle Bag and created opportunities for female expression, blending elements from Dior’s history with innovative design perspectives.
His exhibitions covered vast territories, ranging from Mumbai to Kyoto, with every event honoring craftsmanship and communal bonds. Chiuri’s final collection, Resort 2026, took place in her hometown of Rome at Villa Torlonia, capturing the essence of Italian filmmaking, and featured a movie directed by Matteo Garrone.
Dior has not yet appointed a replacement, but rumors suggest that Jonathan Anderson might be the frontrunner after he recently assumed control of Dior’s menswear lines.
Chiuri leaves her position as the inaugural female leader of Dior since its establishment in 1947, having reshaped the guidelines and paved the way for a fresh era at one of fashion’s leading establishments.
Her exit is part of an extensive series of creative changes at prominent fashion brands, which also encompasses Pierpaolo Piccioli’s recently announced role as creative director at Balenciaga. Previously, Chiuri and Piccioli shared the position of co-creative directors at Valentino.
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