Maria Grazia Chiuri Appointed Fendi's Chief Creative Officer
Maria Grazia Chiuri is set to embark on a new chapter, rejoining Fendi as its Chief Creative Officer, a move announced by the luxury fashion house. This significant appointment comes six months after her departure from the creative director role at Dior, signaling a return to her roots. Chiuri, a Roman native, previously dedicated a decade to Fendi from 1989 to 1999, where she was instrumental in developing the iconic Baguette bag as an accessories designer. Her initial collection for Fendi is anticipated to be unveiled in February 2026 during Milan Fashion Week, promising a fresh artistic vision for the brand. Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Group, expressed his enthusiasm for Chiuri's return, highlighting her exceptional creative talent and her potential to invigorate Fendi's legacy while furthering its artistic evolution within the LVMH portfolio.
The leadership transition at Fendi has been dynamic, with the brand operating without a dedicated womenswear creative director since Kim Jones stepped down in October 2024. Silvia Venturini Fendi, a scion of the founding family, temporarily oversaw both menswear and womenswear, including the brand's centennial collections in 2025, before transitioning into an ambassadorial role as honorary president. Ramon Ros, who assumed the CEO position at Fendi in July, aims to revitalize the house's creative direction. He anticipates that Chiuri, with her extensive experience including her co-creative director role at Valentino and her successful tenure at Dior, will inject new relevance into Fendi. Chiuri herself conveyed a sense of honor and joy in returning, acknowledging Fendi's historical role as a nurturing ground for creative talent and expressing gratitude to Mr. Arnault for the opportunity to contribute to the company's future narrative.
Chiuri's return to Fendi is also geographically convenient, as the designer has been based in Rome, engaging in passion projects like the restoration of the Teatro Della Cometa. Her career trajectory is marked by significant roles at other esteemed Roman houses; after leaving Fendi in 1999, she joined Valentino with Pierpaolo Piccioli, eventually becoming co-creative directors. Her seven highly successful years at Valentino preceded her move to Dior in 2016, where she made history as the first female lead designer for womenswear. At Dior, she championed a feminocentric message, collaborating with renowned female artists and broadening the brand's creative scope beyond traditional Francophone influences. Under her guidance, Dior's sales soared from €2.2 billion in 2017 to €9.5 billion in 2023. This new appointment at Fendi offers Chiuri the unique opportunity to apply her rich fashion expertise to the brand where her illustrious career first began, reinforcing the enduring power of innovation and heritage in the fashion world.