In yet another major shift in the fashion industry, Maria Grazia Chiuri is set to depart from her role as Creative Director of Dior’s women’s haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories lines.
Chiuri, who made history as the first woman to hold the position at the iconic French fashion house, concludes a transformative nine-year tenure.
Chiuri presented her final collection for Dior with the Cruise 2026 show in Rome, staged at the historic Villa Albani Torlonia. The dramatic event encapsulated her distinctive aesthetic, one that helped elevate Dior into a global fashion powerhouse under the LVMH umbrella.
Dior confirmed her departure in an official statement expressing deep appreciation. “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,” said Delphine Arnault, Chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture. “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 also shared a personal note of gratitude: “After nine years, I am leaving Dior, delighted to have been given this extraordinary opportunity. 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.”
Though Dior has not officially named a successor, industry speculation points to Jonathan Anderson. The designer recently stepped down from his role at Loewe and announced via Instagram that he would take over Dior’s menswear division. His highly anticipated debut is scheduled for June 27 in Paris. Meanwhile, Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez will take the reins at Loewe.
Chiuri and Anderson now join a distinguished lineage of Dior creative leads. Since the Maison was founded in 1946 by Christian Dior—who revolutionized postwar fashion with the iconic "New Look"—the role has been filled by fashion luminaries like Yves Saint Laurent, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and Kim Jones. Throughout its history, Dior has maintained key design motifs, including floral patterns, an homage to Monsieur Dior’s love of gardens—an element also visible in Anderson’s surrealist-leaning work at Loewe.
A Brief Timeline of Dior's Creative Directors:
1946–1957: Christian Dior
1957–1960: Yves Saint Laurent
1960–1989: Marc Bohan
1989–1997: Gianfranco Ferré
1997–2011: John Galliano
2000–2006: Hedi Slimane (Dior Homme)
2007–2018: Kris Van Assche (Dior Homme)
2013–2015: Raf Simons
2016–2025: Maria Grazia Chiuri
2018–2025: Kim Jones (Dior Homme)
2025–: Jonathan Anderson (Dior Homme)
With Chiuri's departure, Dior enters a new era, continuing its legacy of innovation and reinvention in the world of high fashion. Photo by Frédéric BISSON from Rouen, France, Wikimedia commons.