After leaving Dior in May 2025, Maria Grazia Chiuri returns to Fendi, the house where she began her career, to lead a new creative era.
Summary
- Maria Grazia Chiuri becomes Fendi’s new chief creative officer.
- She worked at Fendi for 10 years as an accessories designer between 1989 and 1999.
- Her first collection will debut during Milan Fashion Week in February 2026.
Maria Grazia Chiuri is returning to Fendi as chief creative officer, marking a homecoming to the Roman house where her design career began in 1989. The appointment follows her departure from Dior in May 2025, closing an eight-year tenure that helped redefine the French brand’s modern voice and global presence.
Chiuri worked at Fendi for 10 years as an accessories designer between 1989 and 1999, where she led the development of the house’s signature Baguette bag. Her time there set the foundation for her collaborative approach to design and her understanding of craftsmanship, both of which became central to her later work at Valentino and Dior.
At Fendi, Chiuri will oversee women’s ready-to-wear, haute couture, and accessories. Silvia Venturini Fendi, a third-generation member of the founding family, will remain as honorary president, continuing her leadership of menswear and leather goods.
Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH, described Chiuri’s appointment as both a creative reunion and a strategic move for the group. During her time at Dior, she established a distinct identity rooted in cultural dialogue, craftsmanship, and women’s perspectives, broadening the brand’s influence in both fashion and art.
“I return to Fendi with honor and joy, having had the privilege of beginning my career under the guidance of the house’s founders,” Chiuri said in a statement. “Fendi has always represented creativity, femininity, and collaboration.”
Her first collection for Fendi will debut during Milan Fashion Week in February 2026.
