Maria Grazia Chiuri Brings Dior to Rome’s Enigmatic Villa Albani for Cruise 2026

Dior is returning to its roots—both geographic and artistic—for its upcoming Cruise 2026 presentation, set to take place in the heart of Rome. Maria Grazia Chiuri, the house’s creative director for women’s collections, has selected the enigmatic Villa Albani Torlonia as the venue for this year’s show, scheduled for May 27.

This opulent 18th-century estate, designed by architect Carlo Marchionni, was originally commissioned by Cardinal Alessandro Albani to showcase his impressive collection of classical antiquities. Situated on a terraced landscape once covered with vineyards, the villa stands as a testament to neoclassical grandeur and refined artistic patronage.

While Dior’s previous cruise show took place against the romantic backdrop of Drummond Castle in Scotland, this year’s selection is a more intimate affair. The Villa Albani Torlonia is privately owned, typically inaccessible to the public, and shrouded in an air of mystery—no casual visits or photographs allowed. The decision to host a fashion show here is groundbreaking, marking one of the rare occasions the space has been opened for such an event.

Describing the venue as “a secret treasure trove of ancient Roman wonders”, Dior emphasised the symbolic resonance of showcasing the collection within a cradle of neoclassicism. “The elegance of the silhouettes dreamed up by Maria Grazia Chiuri will shine within this outstanding cradle of neoclassicism,” the brand shared in its announcement.

Chiuri, a native of Rome, brings a deeply personal dimension to the event. Before her tenure at Dior, she honed her craft at Italian fashion powerhouses Fendi and Valentino. Beyond her contributions to haute couture, she has invested herself in preserving Rome’s cultural legacy, notably acquiring and restoring the historic Teatro della Cometa, a 250-seat theatre that had gone dark during the pandemic.

This show will mark Chiuri’s first Dior runway presentation in her hometown, although she has previously engaged with the city’s cultural scene, designing costumes for local ballet productions and curating an exhibition on 19th-century women travellers at the Vatican Apostolic Library earlier this year.

Amid speculation about the future of Dior’s leadership, some industry watchers believe this show may serve as Chiuri’s grand farewell after nearly a decade at the helm. With Jonathan Anderson, the former Loewe creative director, stepping in to lead Dior’s menswear—and possibly more—the upcoming cruise collection could signal a significant turning point for the fashion house.

For now, all eyes turn to Rome, where antiquity and contemporary design are set to converge in spectacular fashion.