Dior Has a New Celebrity Relations Boss

UTZ, I DID IT AGAIN: Peter Utz, a prominent player in wrangling celebrities for major fashion houses, has returned to Dior for the second time in his career.

On Wednesday, the French house announced that Utz is its new global public relations director, men and women, and responsible for celebrity relations. He officially started earlier this month — and pre-empted Dior’s official confirmation with a post on his personal Instagram account, where he counts 111,000 followers — and a tumble of A-list stars dressed in the brands he represents.

Utz spent much of his career working with Hedi Slimane when the French designer helmed Celine and Saint Laurent. His title at Celine, where he worked since 2018, was director of couture and events, and where he “managed strategic client relations and the house’s international events,” according to a brief statement shared with WWD.

“With over 20 years of experience in the luxury sector in both France and the United States, he previously held key positions in brand marketing and VIP relations at Maxfield and Saint Laurent, after beginning his career in retail at Prada and Christian Dior Couture,” it added.

It is understood Utz will work in tandem with Mathilde Favier, who directs the celebrities department for women, and Sam Maouchi, celebrity relations director for men.

Utz arrives at a transformational time at Dior, which earlier this year welcomed Jonathan Anderson as its creative director of women’s, men’s and haute couture collections.

The Northern Irish designer, 40, is Dior’s eighth couturier, and is set to show his first women’s ready-to-wear collection during Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 1 in a season strong on designer debuts.