The Italian fashion house Fendi has announced the appointment of Maria Grazia Chiuri as its new Creative Director. Her debut collection — Fall/Winter 2026 — will be unveiled in February during Milan Fashion Week.

For Chiuri, this marks a return to her roots: she began her career at Fendi back in 1989, where she worked for ten years and co-created the iconic Baguette bag. For the past eight years, she has led Dior, becoming the first woman in the brand’s history to hold this position.

During her tenure at Dior, Chiuri strengthened the house’s standing within the LVMH Group, turning it into a symbol of modern elegance with a feminist spirit. Now, she faces a new challenge — to reinterpret Fendi’s DNA, blending its rich heritage with a fresh vision of Italian luxury.

«Maria Grazia Chiuri is one of the greatest creative talents of our time, and I am delighted to welcome her back to Fendi, where she will continue to express her vision of fashion within the LVMH Group. I am confident that under her leadership, the brand will further reinforce its legacy and reach new heights,» — said Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of the LVMH Group.

Following Kim Jones’s departure in 2024, the position of Creative Director of Fendi’s women’s line had remained vacant. In the interim, Silvia Venturini Fendi, granddaughter of the house’s founders, took on the responsibilities. In the fall of 2025, she was appointed Honorary President of the brand.

Photo: Instagram @mariagraziachiuri

Today, the fashion house Dior officially announced the end of its collaboration with Maria Grazia Chiuri, who led the women’s divisions of the brand for nine years. She was the creative director of women’s haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories — and the first woman to ever hold this position in the house’s history.

Her departure marks the end of a significant era. Maria Grazia joined Dior in 2016, succeeding Raf Simons, and immediately made a name for herself with a feminist approach to fashion. Her debut Spring/Summer 2017 collection, featuring «We Should All Be Feminists» T-shirts, made a huge impact, capturing the zeitgeist and becoming a landmark moment in fashion.

During her tenure, she significantly increased the brand’s revenues—from €2.2 billion in 2017 to €9.5 billion in 2023. Chiuri also revived some of the house’s iconic pieces, such as the Saddle Bag from the John Galliano era, and collaborated with contemporary artists like Judy Chicago and Mickalene Thomas.

Despite her success, she was often criticized for excessive commercialism, banality, and superficial engagement with social themes. Nonetheless, under her leadership, Dior maintained its top position in the market. Among the brand’s ambassadors were Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, and Jenna Ortega.

Dior’s CEO Delphine Arnault thanked Chiuri for her «creativity that inspired and reflected the spirit of Monsieur Dior.» The designer herself expressed pride in creating fashion for confident women and working with a dedicated team of artisans.

This is not Dior’s first recent leadership change — back in April, Jonathan Anderson was appointed the new artistic director for menswear, and rumors suggest he might succeed Chiuri, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s final collection was the Dior Cruise 2026 show in Rome — a touching tribute to the city where she grew up, crafted in soft hues and inspired by classic Italian cinema and costume balls.

Following this milestone in her career, Chiuri plans to restore the Roman theater Teatro della Cometa and may also launch her own brand.

Photo: Instagram @mariagraziachiuri