Yesterday marked the eight-month anniversary of Raf Simons’ surprise departure from Christian Dior, where he had held the position of creative director for three and a half years. Today, it has been reported that the house has finally appointed his successor: Valentino’s joint creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri.

News source Reuters gleaned the information from “two people familiar with the matter”. “I understand that it will be announced after the (July) couture show,” said one of these sources, according to the site.

If true, Chiuri will be the first female creative director in the company’s 70-year history, following in the footsteps of Simons, John Galliano, Gianfranco Ferre and Yves Saint Laurent.

She and Pierpaolo Piccioli have been the creative directors of Valentino since September 2007, when Monsieur Valentino decided to retire. Here, they’ve been lauded for breathing new creative energy into the brand, and for revitalising its menswear line.

Since Simons’ departure, Dior’s collections have been designed by an in-house team led by Lucie Meier and Serge Ruffieux. In May, the house staged its Cruise 2017 show, presenting its latest collection which brought together Parisian style with that of the English countryside. 

As for whether there’s any validity to these rumours, time will tell.

We have reached out to Dior for comment.