Who Is Maria Grazia Chiuri? Fashion Icon Named Fendi's Chief Creative Officer

After nearly a decade of reshaping one of fashion's most influential maisons, Maria Grazia Chiuri has been announced as the Chief Creative Officer at Fendi. She will be presenting her Autumn/Winter 2026 collection next February during the Milan Fashion Week. Chiuri worked with Fendi for ten years till 1999, where she led the development of the house’s signature Baguette bag.

Speaking to Vogue, she said, "I return to Fendi with honour and joy, having had the privilege of beginning my career under the guidance of the house’s founders, the five sisters. Fendi has always been a forge of talents and a starting point for many creatives in the industry, thanks to the extraordinary ability of these five women to foster and nurture generations of vision and skill."

"Maria Grazia Chiuri is one of the greatest creative talents in fashion today, and I am delighted that she has chosen to return to Fendi to continue expressing her creativity within the LVMH group, after sharing her bold vision of fashion", said Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Group. "Surrounded by the Fendi teams and in a city that is dear to her, I am convinced that Maria Grazia will contribute to the artistic renewal and future success of the maison, while perpetuating its unique heritage."

Who is Maria Chiuri?

Born in Italy, one of the world's most sought-after destinations in the fashion world, Chiuri grew up with a strong feminine influence. Her father was in the military, and her mother was a seamstress who opened a boutique at a young age. However, she emphasised the importance of higher education for Chiuri and her five sisters.

Chiuri studied at Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome, then worked with numerous fashion big names like Valentino and Fendi. Before rejoining Fendi this year, she worked as the creative director of Christian Dior, which she left in May 2025. As the first woman to lead Dior in its 75+ year history, she brought not just aesthetic sensibilities, but a cultural voice.

Maria Chiuri At Dior

Chiuri was never interested in just creating "beautiful clothes." When she debuted her iconic "We Should All Be Feminists" T-shirt in 2016, her very first collection for Dior, it was a cultural moment. 

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Her collections often paid homage to strong women, writers, artists, and freedom fighters. She turned runways into spaces of resistance, often collaborating with feminist thinkers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and using embroidery, textiles, and traditional craft to amplify women's heritage globally. Chiuri's Dior was never just about garments; it was about statements.

Under Chiuri's leadership, Dior remained both profitable and progressive. She managed the rare feat of being a commercial success while staying ideologically grounded. Dior saw strong growth in the ready-to-wear segment and became more inclusive in its representation. She also brought in artisans from different cultures, championed sustainability, and initiated global dialogues through fashion.

Still, her work didn't go without criticism. Some felt her message was too literal, others claimed her designs lacked the theatrical flair Dior was once known for. Yet, she remained consistent in her mission to show that fashion could be both powerful and purposeful.