For the first time in its history, the creative direction of luxury fashion house Christian Dior will be helmed by a woman.
The brand named Maria Grazia Chiuri, co-creative director at Valentino, as artistic director Friday. She assumes the position roughly nine months after former creative chief Raf Simons left in October. Christian Dior is controlled by Groupe Arnault, french businessman Bernard Arnault's investment firm. Arnault is also CEO of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE.
Chiuri was with Valentino for 17 years, eight as co-creative director beside Pierpaolo Piccioli, who Valentino will elevate to sole creative director.
Chiuri's designs will make their official debut in Paris this fall for the spring-summer 2017 ready-to-wear collection.
