Rumors have been floating around for months about who would be following Raf Simons as creative director at Dior. Simons stepped down in October after only three years at the helm of the Parisian fashion house. He was one of many designers to abruptly leave their positions, feeling that fashion’s rapidly changing cycles were running them down artistically. After much speculation, Dior recently confirmed that Valentino co-designer Maria Grazia Chiuri would be claiming the title of Dior’s new creative director. Valentino has also confirmed Chiuri’s departure.
Maria Grazia Chiuri will be Dior’s very first female director, leaving Pierpaolo Piccioli as Valentino’s sole creative director. Dior is known most for it’s romantic elements and femininity so the appointment of a woman at its head should have been a no-brainer. She seems to be the perfect pick for the title, with decades of experience under her belt and a hand in helping to build Valentino into the major Italian fashion force it is today. Chiuri will oversee the women’s couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories collections. After the success of Valentino’s rock-studded everything, we should anticipate that she will cultivate a similar “it-factor” for Dior.
The fashion community congratulates Maria Grazia Chiuri for her new position. There’s no pondering whether or not she’ll do well or what the label will be like under her guidance. We rest assured knowing that whatever changes that are to come will be good ones.
