Maria Grazia Chiuri is leaving Dior after nine years

The National

5 days ago

The news that has been on the fashion world's lips for months has finally been confirmed: Maria Grazia Chiuri, creative director of women's haute couture and ready to wear at Christian Dior, is leaving after nine years.
Chiuri joined Dior in 2016 from Valentino – where she worked with Pierpaolo Piccioli, the newly appointed creative chief at Balenciaga – and set about reinvigorating the house by delving through its archive, bringing back heritage ideas such as the nipped waist Bar jacket created by Dior in 1947, and the Saddle Bag, from the Galliano era.
Her first fashion show for the brand famously included a T-shirt emblazoned with the title of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's essay We Should All Be Feminists, setting the tone that has underpinned all her collections.
In a statement released on Thursday, Dior announced: 'Maria Grazia Chiuri has decided to leave her position as creative director of women's haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessories collections.'
Christian Dior couture chairman and chief executive Delphine Arnault wrote: '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 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 was particularly focused on couture details, which ran through much of her work, thanks to the immense skill of the Dior teams.
In her statement, Chiuri wrote: 'I am particularly grateful for the work accomplished by my teams and the ateliers. Their talent and expertise allowed me to realise 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.'
Under Chiuri's tenure, the house has become known for a romantic yet wearable aesthetic. She swapped out corsetry for elastic and introduced layered net ballet skirts and heavily logo-ed kitten heels.
In March 2023, Chiuri unveiled her pre-fall collection in front of the Gateway of India in Mumbai, partly in tribute to the contribution of Indian artisans to fashion. In March 2019, she restaged her circus-themed haute couture collection in a giant tent in Safa Park, Dubai.
Rumours of Chiuri's departure have been swirling for months. Her 2026 cruise collection show in Rome just days ago was regarded as her finale, even before the official announcement. The crowd showed their appreciation with a standing ovation – a rarity in an industry where everyone is racing off to the next show.
In terms of who will replace her, Jonathan Anderson – who was recently appointed at Dior Men – is widely anticipated to take over women's wear as well.
There is no news yet of where Chiuri might go, if anywhere. After nine years leading one of the busiest brands under the LVMH umbrella, creating ready-to-wear, haute couture, cruise and pre-fall collections, she is entitled to a well-deserved rest.
However, her departure means there is one fewer woman heading up a major house. Her appointment all those years ago felt like the beginning of a new normal where women held powerful, influential roles.
Since then, however, Phoebe Philo, Clare Waight Keller and Sarah Burton have all stepped back. Burton has since reappeared at Givenchy, but Waight Keller is now creative director at high street name Uniqlo, and Philo has her own, low-key brand. Mrs Prada still remains at Prada and Miu Miu, but otherwise, the fashion industry is once again dominated by white men, making Chiuri's departure feel like the end of an era in more ways than one.