Maria Grazia Chiuri, the Italian designer behind Christian Dior’s womenswear, has officially stepped down after nine years in the role. Her time at Dior completely changed the brand, with sales growing from €2.2 billion in 2017 to €9 billion by 2023. However, as the luxury market started to slow down, Dior began facing challenges, and this led to changes in leadership.

Chiuri’s departure comes shortly after a dramatic runway show held at the Villa Albani Torlonia in her hometown, Rome. There had been rumors for months, but Dior finally confirmed the news in a brief statement.

Chiuri joined Dior in 2016 after working at Valentino. She brought a new direction to Dior, creating clothes that modern women could wear for work, travel, or events. She also expanded the handbag collection, reducing the focus on the iconic Lady Dior and introducing other successful styles like the Book Tote and Bobby Camera Bag.

Her runway shows stood out for their cultural richness. From India to Mexico, she highlighted traditional craftsmanship and collaborated with female artists. Feminist messages were often part of her work — from T-shirts reading “We Should All Be Feminists” to shows with glowing signs saying “Consent” and “Patriarchy=Oppression.”

In her farewell message, Chiuri thanked her team and spoke proudly about how they had created fashion that empowered women. Dior’s CEO, Delphine Arnault, praised Chiuri’s creative and feminist approach and noted her role in Dior’s strong growth.

Jonathan Anderson, previously of Loewe, is expected to take over. His first show for Dior menswear is scheduled for June 27 during Paris Fashion Week.

As for Chiuri’s future, nothing is confirmed yet. But she is expected to focus on her theater in Rome, Teatro della Cometa, which she bought in 2020 and began restoring in 2023.