Dior selects Villa Albani as location of next cruise show

Dior has selected Villa Albani Torlonia in Rome as the location of its next cruise show—the latest historic site chosen by its creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, for a runway show.

The show will be staged on Tuesday, May 27, inside the vast 18th-century architectural complex built to house the art collection of Cardinal Alessandro Albani, which contains a remarkable assemblage of antique Greek and Roman statuary.

Villa Albani Torlonia’s famed geometric gardens offer views of the Sabine Mountains and Alban Hills, making it a privileged destination during the Grand Tour, the famed cultural itinerary of young 18th- and 19th-century gentlemen in search of learning.

Last year, Chiuri selected Drummond Castle—whose gardens are often referred to as the Versailles of Scotland—as the location for Dior’s Celtic posh punk cruise collection.

Villa Albani Torlonia has been owned by the Torlonia family since 1866, and they have conserved it intact into the 21st century. Access to the villa can only be achieved by appointment, and photography is prohibited, making the choice of the location a scoop for Dior. One of Rome’s most noted princely clans, the Torlonia family acquired a huge fortune in the 19th century by administering the Vatican’s finances.

“This extraordinary villa, a secret trove of ancient wonders, will exceptionally—and for the first time—open its gates to host the Dior 2026 cruise show. The elegance of the silhouettes dreamed up by Maria Grazia Chiuri will shine within this outstanding cradle of neoclassicism,” Dior said in a statement.

Chiuri was born in Rome and brought up in the haute bourgeois neighborhood of Parioli, close to Villa Albani Torlonia, which is located on Via Salaria. Prior to joining Dior in 2016, Chiuri spent 17 years working in Rome for two famed local brands—Fendi and Valentino, where she was joint creative director.

This marks her first runway show in Rome, though earlier this year she unveiled an exhibition on 19th-century female travelers inside the Vatican Apostolic Library.

The news comes amid immense speculation that this may be Maria Grazia’s final show for Dior. Last month, Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH, which owns Dior, announced that Jonathan Anderson, the former creative director of Loewe, another LVMH brand, has succeeded Kim Jones as Dior’s menswear designer. Anderson will present his first show for the house in June.

This is widely expected to be the first step before Anderson is given full creative control of Dior, one of fashion’s most famous brands, first founded in 1946 in Paris by Christian Dior.