Fashion Valentino's Maria Grazia Chiuri Reported to Be Dior's New, First Female Creative Director By Jonathan Borge Jonathan Borge Instagram Twitter Jonathan Borge is a writer and editor living in New York City. His writing has appeared in Glamour, Refinery29, Forbes, and PAPER, among other publications. Plus, he's held staff positions at Marie Claire, InStyle, and OprahDaily.com. Currently, he's the Senior Entertainment Editor at Bustle Digital Group's Elite Daily, where he oversees digital covers, features and profiles, freelance essays, and strategy for the site's TV/Movies and Celebrity and Music sub-verticals.He primarily writes about pop culture and style, and has a passion for telling LGBTQ+ and Latinx stories. When he's not working, he's likely waiting for Lady Gaga to announce her next tour. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on June 23, 2016 @ 01:15PM Pin Share Tweet Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Matthew Eisman/Getty After months of speculation following Raf Simons’s October 2015 departure from Christian Dior, we may finally have an answer to who will succeed him as creative director. Reuters reports that Dior is set to announce Maria Grazia Chiuri, a joint creative director at Valentino, in the position after the Parisian fashion house's couture show in July, according to “two people familiar with the matter.” Dior has yet to confirm a replacement for Simons, but should Chiuri fill the role, she would follow in the footsteps of formidable designers like Yves Saint Laurent and John Galliano—and would also be the brand's first female creative director. A source tells WWD that Dior also considered Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez but that Chiuri’s “seasoned, steady hand” ultimately prevailed. Based on the insider, the outlet reports that the designer’s debut is set for Dior’s spring 2017 runway show, which takes place this fall. David Beckham and Kate Moss Sit Front Row at Louis Vuitton's Spring 2017 Menswear Show Chiuri has worked at Valentino alongside fellow creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, since 2007, following Valentino Garavani’s retirement that year.