MICHELLE J. LI

is a chinese-american costume designer + multi-disciplinary artist.

she is motivated by process and seeks to explore the playful tension found within the in-betweens of identity.

michelle’s designs have premiered worldwide at renowned festivals like sundance, tribeca, tiff and sxsw. in 2024, michelle was also the youngest costume designer in recent history to make a broadway debut with JOB.

upcoming narrative film work include audrey ellis fox’s psychological thriller, NDA, starring rachel zegler, penn badgley + amy ryan and alexandra pechman’s TIFF 2026 premiere of MAGAZINE. her forthcoming designs for stage include signature theatre’s KING OF THE YEES written by lauren yee, directed by josh brody + starring kelly marie tran, and brooklyn’s QNCC inaugural production of THE PERVERSE written + directed by borna barzin.

michelle has also led educational costume design workshops at the high school + university level in addition to being a panelist for professional symposiums like the motion picture association’s new york state creativity summit.

a few career highlights include emma seligman’s indie breakout SHIVA BABY, molly gordon’s award-winning mockumentary THEATER CAMP, amy wang’s daring body horror SLANTED and season 3 of comedy central’s AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS. select commercial & music video clients include VOGUE, GLAMOUR, ALLURE, NYLON, SIXTWENTYSIX, AMPERSAND, AMAZON, SAM SMITH and LEWIS CAPALDI. her work has also been featured on major streaming platforms hulu, disney+, peacock, mubi, hbo max and the criterion channel.

michelle is based in nyc + a proud member of usa 829.

stroboscopic portraits by geoff robertson

front page portrait by cj calica