Fashion has made strides in representation over the past few years. Even though women spend nearly 76% more money on clothing than men in a year, the industry is still primarily dominated by men behind the scenes. Women comprise over 85% of graduates from leading fashion schools. However, women lead only 14% of the top 50 major fashion brands. In the face of those daunting odds, some women have been able to break through and leave their mark on the industry. Dior’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, is one of the living legends and pioneers in the fashion industry.
History Begins
When Dior tapped Maria Grazia Chiuri to succeed Raf Simons as their next creative director in 2016, it was a groundbreaking selection. Chiuri became the label’s first female creative director in the brand’s 75-year history. Her ascension to leading Dior’s creative team was the culmination of a nearly 30-year journey that started in Fendi’s accessories department in 1989. She laid the foundation for her career as an accessories designer for the Italian luxury fashion house. She created Fendi’s baguette bag, which became a staple for the brand in the 1990s.
Leveling Up
After a decade at Fendi, she moved on to work as an accessories designer with Valentino. She overhauled the brand’s handbag and eyewear collections. Eventually, she rose through the ranks to take over as the head of the accessories department. In 2008, she and her creative partner, Pierpaolo Piccioli, became Valentino’s co-creative directors. The pair had collaborated at Fendi and throughout her tenure at Valentino.
In 2015, Chiuri won the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) International Award for her innovative work at Valentino. The award is one of the highest distinctions in the fashion world. She ignited the fashion house’s resurgence as an industry leader by revamping the menswear and accessories departments. She designed Valentino’s iconic Rockstud heels, which have sold out every season since it launched in 2010.
Breathing New Life into Dior
In 2016, Chiuri took over as the new creative director of Dior. It was the first time a woman was the lead creative of the brand and the first time Chiuri would work without Piccioli, who stayed on as creative director at Valentino. In September of that year, she debuted her first collection for Dior at Paris Fashion Week. The debut received rave reviews. W Magazine declared that Chiuri brought “dreaminess back to the house of Dior,” while Vogue UK called the collection “a pure, beautiful feminine statement.”
A bold and direct declaration to ponder @Dior from Maria Grazia Chiuri’s debut #DiorSS17 pic.twitter.com/SjiM1cB2c1
— susiebubble (@susiebubble) September 30, 2016
Since taking the reins at Dior, Chiuri has rejuvenated the fashion house during her six-year tenure. She has embraced her status as a feminist icon by launching a series of t-shirts with pro-woman statements. The shirts have been photographed on celebrities like Rihanna, Natalie Portman, Bella Hadid, and A$AP Rocky. In 2019, she was awarded the Légion d’honneur for her work in feminism. It is France’s highest order of merit for military personnel and civilians. Upon accepting the award, Chiuri commented, “I would like to send young women a message to believe in themselves and follow their instincts. Dior is a Maison that represents femininity, and for this reason, I believe that my commitment is to make women aware of their potential.”
If you’d like to learn about opportunities in the fashion industry, download Yellowbricks’ Ultimate Fashion Career Guide for more information on pursuing a career in fashion.
