Fendi, the Italian maison owned by the LVMH group since 2001, has announced that Maria Grazia Chiuri is the new chief creative officer of the maison.

Born in 1964, Chiuri began her career at Fendi in 1989. A decade later, she moved to Valentino, where she served as creative director from 2008 to 2016. In 2016, she was appointed the creative director of Dior womenswear, becoming the first woman to hold this role in the house's history.

“Maria Grazia Chiuri is one of the greatest creative talents in fashion today, and I am delighted that she has chosen to return to Fendi to continue expressing her creativity within the LVMH group, after sharing her bold vision of fashion. Surrounded by the Fendi teams and in a city that is dear to her, I am convinced that Maria Grazia will contribute to the artistic renewal and future success of the Maison, while perpetuating its unique heritage,” commented Bernard Arnault, chairman and ceo, LVMH Group.

Chiuri’s appointment comes just weeks after Silvia Venturini Fendi, granddaughter of the founders, was named honorary president of the maison. Venturini has played a key role in the creative continuity of the brand following the departure of British Kim Jones in 2024.

"I return to Fendi with honor and joy, having had the privilege of beginning my career under the guidance of the house's founders, the five Fendi sisters. Fendi has always been a forge of talents and a starting point for many creatives in the industry, thanks to the extraordinary ability of these five women to foster and nurture generations of vision and skill," said Chiuri, who will debut at the creative helm of the brand with the autumn/winter 2026-27 collection during the next Milan Fashion Week in February and then unveil her first menswear collection in June and the couture collection in July.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Maria Grazia into the team. The role of a creative director is no longer to simply design beautiful clothes but to curate a culture and hold a mirror to the world we live in. Her talent and vision will be instrumental in fortifying Fendi's heritage, shaping the future talent in the house, and deepening our commitment to Italian craftsmanship,” states Ramon Ros, Fendi's chairman and ceo.

Image: Maria Grazia Chiuri @ Paola Mattioli - Courtesy of Fendi