Inspired by her mother, a dressmaker, Maria Grazia Chiuri knew early on that she would follow the same path. She enrolled at Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome, where she trained in the technical side of fashion while exploring the Italian capital’s cultural heritage.
She began her career at Fendi, where she oversaw handbags, starting in 1989. In 1999, she was appointed head of accessories at Valentino, where she became the brand’s co-creative director alongside Pierpaolo Piccioli from 2008 to 2016.
In July 2016, Maria Grazia Chiuri was named Creative Director of Dior women's collections, the first woman to hold this position. On the Dior haute couture fall-winter 2019-2020 show, she was decorated, on behalf of the President of the Republic, with the insignia of Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, by Secretary of State Marlène Schiappa.
Throughout her collections, she encourages a celebration of bold empowerment and sorority. Staying true to her committed vision, Maria Grazia Chiuri weaves multiple dialogues with women artists from around the world as well as writers, illustrators and choreographers like Sharon Eyal, embracing dance as the art of movement and freedom.