The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT (MFIT) has announced its selection of Maria Grazia Chiuri, the creative director responsible for Dior’s women’s haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories collections, as the recipient of the prestigious 2022 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion. This esteemed honor will be celebrated during the 2022 Couture Council Luncheon, a key event benefiting MFIT, scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at the renowned David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. This occasion marks the commencement of New York Fashion Week.
Maria Grazia Chiuri’s historic appointment as creative director at Dior in July 2016 marked her as the first woman to hold this distinguished role within the esteemed fashion house. During her tenure at Dior, Chiuri has garnered acclaim for her dedication to universal empowerment and unity through feminist-inspired collections, enabling women to express their unique identities.
Before her role at Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri enjoyed a remarkable 17-year career at Valentino, initially serving as an accessories designer and later ascending to the position of joint creative director.
Born in Rome in 1964, Chiuri has received notable recognition, including the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor) by France’s Secretary of State for Gender Equality, Marlène Schiappa.
In response to receiving the Couture Council Award, Chiuri expressed her gratitude, stating, «I’m honored and thrilled that my work has been recognized with the prestigious Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion. This award strengthens my conviction as to the importance today of completing a project in which research, experimenting, savoir-faire, and commitment are our daily challenges.»
The Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion has previously been bestowed upon renowned figures in the fashion industry, including Wes Gordon (2021), Christian Louboutin (2019), Narciso Rodriguez (2018), Thom Browne (2017), Albert Kriemler of Akris (2016), Manolo Blahnik (2015), Carolina Herrera (2014), FIT alumnus Michael Kors (2013), and others.
Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of FIT, commended Maria Grazia Chiuri’s work, emphasizing her belief «that fashion is a fundamental part of life.» Chiuri’s designs cater to women of all sizes, ages, and shapes, embodying both feminism and femininity. Her vision serves as an inspiration to aspiring designers, including students at FIT, and her contributions to the world of fashion are deserving of recognition.
Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of The Museum at FIT, expressed pride in honoring Maria Grazia Chiuri with the 2022 Couture Council Award. She highlighted Chiuri’s perspective, stating that «when you are a woman making clothes for women, fashion is not just about how you look; it is about how you feel and how you think.»