Maria Grazia Chiuri Confirmed At Dior

Maria Grazia Chiuri has been confirmed as the new artistic director at Christian Dior, replacing Raf Simons whodeparted the label in October 2015. Chiuri, who is Dior's first female artistic director, previously headed up the womenswear collections at Valentino alongside her co-designer Pierpaolo Piccioli since 2008.

Chiuri is to start next week as artistic director of women's haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessory collections with her first show slated for September 30.

"It is a great honour to be joining the house of Dior," said Chiuri in a statement. "I measure the tremendous responsibility of being the first woman in charge of the creation in a house so deeply rooted in the pure expression of femininity. The endless wealth of its heritage continues to be a constant source of inspiration for fashion, and I cannot wait to express my own vision."

Piccioli - with whom Chiuri has enjoyed a creative partnership with for over two decades since meeting in the late Eighties and studying at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Rome together - will remain at Valentino, where he will take the sole reins as creative director.

"I am thrilled to welcome Maria Grazia Chiuri in the house of Christian Dior," said Sidney Toledano, president and CEO of Christian Dior Couture. "Her vision of women, both sensual and poetic, resonates with that of Monsieur Dior. Her expertise in the art of couture and her passion for craftsmanship will be in perfect harmony with the exceptional know-how of our ateliers."

Today's news brings to an end the rumour mill surrounding the post, which hasn't abated since Simons's unexpected deaprture after three years in the role. Among those previously associated with the role was Alexander McQueen creative director, Sarah Burton.