Maria Grazia Chiuri Departs Dior After Nine Years as Artistic Director
Maria Grazia Chiuri has announced her departure as artistic director of women’s collections at Dior, concluding a nine-year tenure marked by significant growth and feminist-inspired designs. Her exit paves the way for potential leadership changes within the French fashion house.
In a statement, Dior expressed its “deepest gratitude to Maria Grazia Chiuri after a wonderful collaboration as creative director of women’s collections since 2016.” The company did not specify when a successor would be named.
Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, praised Chiuri’s contributions: “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.” She added, “She has written a key chapter in the history of Christian Dior, greatly contributing to its remarkable growth and being the first woman to lead the creation of women’s collections.”
Chiuri reflected on her time at Dior, stating, “I am delighted to have been given the extraordinary opportunity to helm the house, founded in 1947.” She continued, “I would like to thank Monsieur Arnault for placing his trust in me and Delphine for her support. 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 an impactful chapter of which I am immensely proud.”
Industry sources suggest Chiuri has engaged in discussions with Fendi regarding future opportunities. Her departure follows months of speculation, with each recent show rumored to be her last. She concluded her tenure with a well-received collection showcased at the Villa Albani Torlonia in Rome, her hometown.
Notable attendees at her final show included artist Eva Jospin, photographers Brigitte Niedermair, Brigitte Lacombe, and Maripol, as well as brand ambassador Natalie Portman. Also present were Silvia Venturini Fendi and Giancarlo Giammetti, with whom Chiuri previously collaborated at Fendi and Valentino, and Karishma Swali, creative director of the Chanakya embroidery workshop in Mumbai, a frequent partner in Dior collections.
Chiuri’s tenure at Dior was marked by collaborations with female artists and a commitment to feminist themes, beginning with her debut show in 2016 featuring a T-shirt emblazoned with “We Should All Be Feminists,” referencing Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s essay. Her designs often incorporated strong brand signatures such as the Bar jacket, pleated tulle skirts, and accessories like the Book Tote bag and Slingback shoe.
Under her leadership, Dior’s revenues reportedly increased from 2.2 billion euros in 2017 to 8.7 billion euros in 2024, according to HSBC estimates. However, recent quarters have seen a slowdown in luxury goods demand, with LVMH’s fashion and leather goods division experiencing a 5% decline in organic revenues in the first quarter of the year.
In response to these challenges, LVMH has appointed new creative directors at several key brands. Jonathan Anderson, previously at Loewe, is set to present his first men’s collection for Dior in June. Additionally, Michael Rider will debut as Celine’s artistic director in July, and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez are scheduled to showcase their first collection for Loewe in October.
Chiuri’s global approach included staging shows in diverse locations such as Mumbai, Mexico City, Tokyo, Athens, Marrakech, and Seoul, highlighting local artists and artisans and enhancing Dior’s international presence. Despite facing criticism for her commercial approach and the brand’s perceived stagnation, Chiuri emphasized her extensive experience in the fashion industry and her commitment to creating timeless pieces.
Married to fashion entrepreneur Paolo Regini, Chiuri has two children, Niccolò and Rachele. Rachele worked with her at Dior and will now oversee programming at the family’s restored Teatro della Cometa in Rome.
Chiuri’s designs drew inspiration from Dior’s archives, including the works of Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, and John Galliano. She expanded the brand’s offerings in sportswear, athleisure, and knitwear, aiming to create versatile pieces suitable for various body types. Reflecting on her career, she stated, “To create pieces that are timeless, this is the dream of all designers.”