The appointment, revealed on October 14, 2025, brings Chiuri full circle. Before she became one of the most influential designers of her generation, she in fact, began her career at Fendi, working under the guidance of Anna, Alda, Carla, Franca, and Paola, the five Fendi sisters. It was there that she honed her talent for blending craftsmanship, femininity, and functionality, and contributed to the creation of one of the brand’s most iconic accessories: the Fendi Baguette bag. Co-designed during her early years at the house, the bag would later become a cultural phenomenon and one of the most iconic modern accessories. 

Now, decades later, Chiuri returns to the brand that shaped her creative foundation, stepping into the role following Silvia Venturini Fendi, who has safeguarded the house’s creative identity for decades while elevating its accessories, menswear, and couture. The two women share a long-standing professional bond, rooted in mutual respect and their shared belief in craftsmanship and storytelling. Their past collaborations at Fendi were defined by an instinctive synergy, blending Silvia’s lineage-driven sensibility with Chiuri’s design precision.

“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,” Chiuri said in her official statement. “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 women to foster and nurture generations of vision and skill.”

Her appointment, as Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, remarked, represents both continuity and transformation: “Maria Grazia Chiuri is one of the greatest creative talents in fashion today… I am convinced that she will contribute to the artistic renewal and future success of the Maison, while perpetuating its unique heritage.”

A Designer Full Circle 

Chiuri’s journey has been an incredible evolution. After her formative years at Fendi, she moved to Valentino, where her creative partnership with Pierpaolo Piccioli redefined the house’s romantic codes for a new era. Their work combined technical mastery with emotional depth. 

In 2016, she made history as the first woman to lead Dior in its 70-year existence. At the French maison, she ushered in a new era defined by her feminist ethos and her ability to fuse couture craftsmanship with cultural relevance. Collections bearing slogans such as “We Should All Be Feminists” and “Sisterhood Is Global” transcended the runway, transforming Dior into a platform for social commentary. Under her direction, Dior’s aesthetic softened but deepened as art, intellect, and inclusivity became part of its DNA.

Now, returning to her Italian roots, Chiuri brings this same cultural consciousness and sensitivity to Fendi, a house that, like her, has often been run by women, for women.

Chiuri’s arrival also signifies a new chapter for Fendi. The brand has always remained a family-run Italian atelier, but under the creative direction of designers like Karl Lagerfeld and, most recently, Kim Jones, the brand’s direction has been defined by innovation and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.

As Chiuri prepares her debut Fendi Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection, set to be unveiled in Milan next February, industry observers are already anticipating how she will pay tribute to Lagerfeld’s visionary legacy while weaving in her own aesthetic. 

Expect subtle nods to Italian heritage, Roman glamour, and modern empowerment. Her work often celebrates womanhood, and there is almost certainly going to be a conversation around female creativity, opening up a new conversation at the Roman house. 

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Ramon Ros, Fendi’s Chairman and CEO, summed it up in a statement from the brand: “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 future talent, and deepening our commitment to Italian craftsmanship.”