Chiuri is one of the creative geniuses behind Fendi’s iconic Baguette bag. Now she’s back for more.
There is no place like home. And for acclaimed designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, home is where Fendi is. After over two decades, Chiuri returns to the Italian fashion house as Chief Creative Officer following her departure as Dior’s creative director of women’s collections. Fendi announced her appointment on Oct. 14, six months after her exit and nine years after taking the helm at Dior.
Chiuri’s move is a homecoming to Fendi, where she worked as an accessories designer for a decade. She will present her first collection for fall 2026 in Milan in February next year.
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In a statement, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Group Bernard Arnault sent warm wishes to the Roman designer whom he described as “one of the greatest creative talents in fashion today.” He wrote, “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.”
Ramon Ros, Fendi’s Chairman and CEO was likewise “thrilled to welcome Maria Grazia into the team.” He added, “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.”
Chiuri began her career as an accessories designer at Fendi way back 1989. The designer revolutionized the Italian fashion house with iconic accessories that propelled it to the global spotlight. One of these is Fendi’s signature Baguette bag, which she co-created with Pierpsaolo Piccioli. The popular accessory redefined handbags as collectible statement pieces and drew major commercial interest to the brand.
Chiuri and Piccioli continued to work side-by-side at the house until they both left for Valentino in 1999. Chiuri was appointed as the head of accessories department and, after nine years, rose to the ranks of creative director alongside Piccioli. She remained with the brand until 2016, when she took on the role of Dior’s first female creative director.
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The 61-year-old designer departed Dior after nine years of transforming the house with her strong feminist vision, bold yet romantic silhouettes, and canvas totes that became the “it” accessories overnight. She also expanded the house’s audience with her artist collaborations and blockbuster fashion shows.
Prior to Chiuri’s return to Fendi, the founders’ granddaughter Silvia Venturini Fendi had been overseeing the house’s womenswear after Kim Jones stepped down from the job in October 2024. She added the role to her responsibilities as men’s and accessories designer. A year later, she decided to step back from her creative duties and took on the title as honorary president of the house, paving the way for Chiuri’s comeback.
“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 sisters,” Chiuri said. “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.” A sweet homecoming indeed.
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