Miranda July Unveils Quirky Persona for The Guardian 2025

One striking shot features July perched on a rich red velvet sofa, clad in an oversized, pale blue button-down shirt and a polka-dotted red tie. This unconventional styling — a nod to classic menswear reinterpreted with a relaxed, almost undone sensibility — is paired unexpectedly with sheer black hosiery, adding a layer of subtle allure. Her direct gaze, hand delicately touching her chin, conveys both vulnerability and a sharp, knowing intellect. It’s a look that feels both familiar and deeply personal, much like her narrative work.

Another image finds July amidst a bustling wardrobe, a vibrant collection of clothes hanging behind her like a colorful backdrop. Still in the oversized shirt and hosiery, she playfully lifts one leg, revealing a black heel, as if caught in a moment of sartorial indecision or spontaneous dance. The scene is both relatable and theatrical, emphasizing the artistic process of selecting and inhabiting different personas. The abundance of clothing hints at a rich inner world, a costume department for her myriad characters and creative explorations.

A third intimate portrait captures July in front of a mirror, a vanity laden with bottles and brushes, suggesting a moment of preparation or reflection. Here, she dons a vibrant red, perhaps silk or satin, cropped jacket that billows at the sleeves, revealing a glimpse of an undergarment. Her reflection, captured in the mirror, shows her hand adjusting her hair, a gesture of thoughtful self-assessment. The overall impression is one of candid intimacy, as if we are witnessing July in a private moment of artistic transformation.