Maria Grazia Chiuri Returns to Fendi as Chief Creative Officer

Fendi has officially announced the appointment of Maria Grazia Chiuri as its new Chief Creative Officer, marking a significant return for the esteemed designer to the Italian fashion house where she began her illustrious career. This move, widely anticipated within the industry for months, sees Chiuri taking the helm to present her inaugural collection for Fendi during the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 runway shows, scheduled for next February in Milan.

Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Group, the luxury conglomerate that owns Fendi, expressed his delight at the announcement. He lauded Chiuri as "one of the greatest creative talents in fashion today" and welcomed her decision to return to Fendi to further express her creativity within the LVMH family. Arnault conveyed his conviction that Chiuri, supported by the Fendi teams and operating in a city dear to her, will significantly contribute to the Maison's artistic renewal and future success while meticulously perpetuating its unique heritage.

Maria Grazia Chiuri steps into this pivotal role succeeding Silvia Venturini Fendi, who skillfully guided the creative direction of the brand since the departure of Kim Jones last year. The transition was effectively signaled last week when Venturini Fendi was named Honorary President of Fendi, a move that subtly foreshadowed the imminent announcement of a new creative director, for which Chiuri had been the frontrunner for several months.

Reflecting on her return, Chiuri shared her profound sentiments, stating, "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." She praised Fendi as a "forge of talents and a starting point for many creatives in the industry," attributing this to the founders' extraordinary ability to foster and nurture generations of vision and skill. Chiuri also extended her gratitude to Mr. Arnault for entrusting her with the task of helping to write a new chapter in the history of this remarkable women-founded company.

The 61-year-old, Rome-born designer’s career journey is marked by significant milestones. She commenced her professional path at Fendi in 1989, where she notably played a key role in the development of the label's iconic Baguette bag. Following her tenure at Fendi, she moved to Valentino, where she ascended to the position of joint creative director in 2008. Eight years later, in 2016, she made history by becoming the first female creative director of Dior, a highly influential role she held until this spring.

Ramon Ros, Fendi’s Chairman and CEO, warmly welcomed Chiuri to the team, emphasizing the evolving nature of the creative director's role in contemporary fashion. He underlined that the position now extends beyond merely designing beautiful clothes to "curate a culture and hold a mirror to the world we live in." Ros conveyed his confidence that Chiuri's exceptional talent and vision will be instrumental in fortifying Fendi’s heritage, nurturing future talent within the house, and deepening the brand's unwavering commitment to exquisite Italian craftsmanship.