Dior Taps Luxury Veteran Michela Kalb to Spearhead Collections Under Jonathan Anderson

Christian Dior, the globally celebrated French luxury fashion house operating under the prestigious LVMH Group, has made a significant strategic move to bolster the creative leadership of its Creative Director, Jonathan Anderson. The house is strengthening its core teams by welcoming back Michela Kalb, an esteemed figure in the luxury fashion industry, whose return marks a pivotal moment for the brand's continued evolution and success. This re-engagement underscores Dior's commitment to reinforcing its creative and operational excellence across its diverse collection categories.

Michela Kalb’s new appointment is notably expansive, positioning her as the Director of Haute Couture, Women’s and Men’s Ready-to-Wear, Women’s Shoes, and Baby Collections at Christian Dior. This comprehensive portfolio signifies a critical role, as she will effectively become Jonathan Anderson’s de facto right-hand woman, entrusted with coordinating all facets of the house’s collections. Her responsibilities will span the entire product lifecycle, from initial conceptualization and creation through to final retail strategies, ensuring a cohesive and strong brand message across all categories. Furthermore, in this significant capacity, she will also be joining the company’s influential management committee, signaling her integral role in strategic decision-making.

Kalb’s return to Dior is a homecoming for an individual who previously distinguished herself within the house. Her prior tenure at Christian Dior stretched for a decade in the mid-2000s, where she served as the influential director of women’s ready-to-wear, playing a crucial role in shaping the brand's contemporary identity. Following this successful period, she continued to apply her considerable talents and deep product expertise within the LVMH Group, holding the same prominent role as director of women’s ready-to-wear at Louis Vuitton. This extensive and high-level experience at two of the world's leading luxury fashion brands makes her uniquely qualified to navigate the complexities of Dior's multifaceted offerings.

Her official start date is set for October 1, a date imbued with symbolic significance as it coincides with the unveiling of Jonathan Anderson’s highly anticipated debut women’s ready-to-wear collection at Paris Fashion Week. This synchronous timing highlights the immediate impact Kalb is expected to have on the brand’s creative and commercial trajectory. Christian Dior CEO Delphine Arnault warmly welcomed Kalb’s return, expressing her delight in a note shared by the house. Arnault emphasized her conviction that Kalb will draw upon her profound vision, intimate knowledge of the house, and extensive product expertise to develop increasingly desirable collections, fostered through a close and collaborative partnership with the creative direction.

Michela Kalb’s impressive career trajectory is rooted in a strong academic foundation, having earned a degree in business administration from Milan’s prestigious Bocconi University. Her professional journey began in 1993 at the Italian department store La Rinascente, where she honed her skills managing women’s ready-to-wear purchasing. After six years, she transitioned to Prada, steadily advancing from assistant merchandiser to a pivotal role as merchandising manager for both the Prada and Miu Miu brands. Her move to Paris marked a new chapter, bringing her into the fold of the LVMH Group, initially with her successful eleven-year stint at Christian Dior from 2006 to 2017, and subsequently at Louis Vuitton, where she continued to excel as director of women’s ready-to-wear. This rich background showcases a career dedicated to the strategic development and commercial success of luxury fashion.