Neiman Marcus announces Maria Grazia Chiuri, Creative Director of Women’s Haute Couture, Ready-To-Wear and Accessories Collections for Dior, as the 2024 recipient of the Neiman Marcus Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion. This is the same distinction that was given to Monsieur Dior in 1947. Dior’s first female creative director receives the honor as a transformative creative visionary who has made a significant impact on the luxury fashion industry.
“The Neiman Marcus Awards celebrate global fashion luminaries who have inspired and shaped the industry,” said Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Chief Executive Officer, Neiman Marcus Group. “We recognize Maria Grazia Chiuri with the same award Monsieur Dior won for her extraordinary work at the House of Dior that has catapulted female creative representation in the industry. Her historic appointment at the Parisian Maison has ushered in a new era of cultural impact for the brand.”
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Chiuri’s internationally acclaimed career spans over 25 years with some of the world’s most iconic fashion houses including Fendi and Valentino. Through her leadership and creative passion, she has brought an elegant and modern vision that pays homage to the house’s heritage and revolutionary codes originally created by Monsieur Dior. Her insightful perspective inspires and engages women who recognize themselves in her fashion.
“I am honoured and delighted to receive the Neiman Marcus Award. Receiving this award given to Christian Dior in 1947, in recognition of the extraordinary impact his first collection had on the world of fashion, fills me with pride. Since my arrival at Dior, I have striven every day to respect this heritage that is part of the history of fashion, while also using my own poetic approach to shape the future of the brand in our complex world that is constantly bringing new challenges,” said Chiuri. “This award pushes me to keep giving my all, doing the best I can for women, helping them to find the awareness they need to never give up on themselves and to overcome all hurdles. It is to them, to all the women who have made me a better woman, that I dedicate this award. I also dedicate it to Michela Murgia: an author, activist, friend, and endless source of inspiration.”
In less than a decade at the helm, Chiuri has led Dior to new heights as one of the most desirable luxury brands globally. Through her platform, she has showcased a multitude of female creatives on an unprecedented level and beyond her designs, she values community and culture. Chiuri has earned notable recognition for her efforts to create stronger female leadership and permanent impact on the industry. As a women co-founded and majority women-led organization, Neiman Marcus Group shares her value of women’s empowerment within the company and industry.
Stanley Marcus presented the same honor to Monsieur Dior in Dallas at the eve of his career. In his memoirs, Monsieur Dior remarks the formative experience as the moment his young brand was able to first connect with the American customer. “Rereading the letter, I discovered that the Oscar…would for the first time be awarded to a French couturier and that I was going to receive this accolade as early as my first collection!,” said Christian Dior in his book Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior. “What was being recognized was the awakening of French fashion. It was my duty to represent my country on such an honorable occasion, confirming the preeminent place of Paris in this domain.”
On March 3, Chiuri will be recognized in front of her peers and additional forthcoming honorees at the retailer’s awards celebration during Paris Fashion Week at the iconic Ritz Hotel. This celebration will commence with a full year of multi-level programing with each recipient that will focus on connecting customers with unique experiences as part of its comprehensive ‘retail-tainment’ strategy.
“Throughout her career, Maria Grazia Chiuri has been a powerful force in the luxury industry, showing an unwavering dedication to the advancement of women in fashion,” said Lana Todorovich, Chief Merchandising Officer, Neiman Marcus. “Her creations will be brought to life through our ‘retail-tainment’ strategy which connects our customers to exclusive experiences from our premiere brand partners.”
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