Designer Chiuri quits Italian label Valentino, eyes Dior

Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri left the Italian label Valentino on last Thursday, clearing the way for her to be named the first-ever women to lead Dior.

Chiuri had presented her last collection for Valentino only the night before, taking the bow at its Paris haute couture show with her long-time creative partner Pierpaolo Piccioli.

"I have shared with Pierpaolo a great part of my professional life," she said in a statement.