Maria Grazia Chiuri Appointed Creative Director of Fendi

Fendi has appointed Maria Grazia Chiuri as its new Chief Creative Officer, overseeing women's, men's, and couture lines. The announcement follows the departure of Kim Jones in 2024 and Silvia Venturini Fendi's transition to honorary president. Chiuri, who previously worked at Fendi from 1989 to 1999 and contributed to the iconic Baguette bag, returns after nearly a decade at Dior, where she became the first woman to lead its women's collections. Her debut collection is scheduled for Milan Fashion Week in February 2026, with a separate menswear show in June. CEO Ramon Ros praised Chiuri as one of today's top creative talents, emphasizing her strong connection to Italian craftsmanship. Chiuri's career includes a long collaboration with Pierpaolo Piccioli at Valentino, where they served as co-creative directors from 2008, and her tenure at Dior, marked by feminist statements and collaborations with artists like Judy Chicago and Faith Ringgold. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move to blend heritage with innovation.