Maria Grazia Chiuri

Maria Grazia Chiuri has been at the helm of Dior since 2016, making waves as the house’s first female creative director. Her move to Dior marked a significant shift, not just for the brand, but for the industry as a whole. Prior to this, Chiuri spent 17 transformative years at Valentino, where she and Pierpaolo Piccioli revamped the brand’s image, turning it back into a powerhouse. Together, they spearheaded Valentino’s ascent, breathing life into everything from menswear to accessories, including the iconic Rockstud. Their work earned them the CFDA International Award in 2015.

At Dior, Chiuri has used her platform to emphasize femininity with a sharp edge—her message is as much about the clothes as it is about the dialogue they create. Her debut in 2016 featured the slogan tee declaring, “We Should All Be Feminists,” inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She also reintroduced the Saddle bag, making it a modern must-have through savvy influencer marketing, bringing Dior into the social media age.

Chiuri’s collections often engage with cultural moments—whether through tributes to art historian Linda Nochlin or collaborations with global artisans, such as the embroidery workshops for Dior’s Cruise 2024 collection. In July 2019, her impact was recognized with the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest honor, acknowledging her influence both inside and outside the ateliers.

Chiuri’s reign at Dior balances the brand’s storied past with a modern urgency that makes her designs more than just runway pieces. They are statements, conversations, and reflections of the world, challenging the fashion industry to embrace change.