Sophia Banks

Director | Bio

Sophia Banks defined herself as a director with a spot. She shot for Christian Siriano featuring gorgeous young women wearing couture gowns skateboarding through the moody streets and industrial back alleys of downtown Los Angeles. With richly saturated colors, an edgy soundscape and stunning static shots that set an anticipatory tone, Banks captured the imaginations of two of fashion’s hottest trendsetters: Pam & Gela, the best friends who started the Juicy Couture empire. They soon hired her to create a digital billboard for their new brand that occupied a prime slice of Times Square real estate and mesmerized the masses with its lush imagery of bold young women living on the cutting edge of fashion and fun.

The massive ad paid for itself in 24 hours and increased the brand’s sales by 40 percent. Banks’ success can be credited to her singular vision and unique background. The Australian native studied film, acting, fashion and business in three countries including at acclaimed institutions like USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Her razor-sharp eye for cresting trends led her to partner with Satine-one of L.A.’s hottest boutiques in the early aughts. She later launched the Whitley Kros label with Marissa Ribisi and became a sought-after celebrity and film stylist. Clocking time on set served to heighten Banks’ awareness that she belonged behind the camera. Her sensibility as evidenced by her success in fashion was profoundly visual. A stint mentoring under famed German director Wim Wenders sealed the deal and Banks dove headfirst into her most meaningful adventure as a fearless female director.

Gigs for top brands like BMW, Cheeky for Target, Doritos and Ford soon followed as well as work with Pam & Gela, Ralph and Russo, Valentino and GenLuxe magazine. In the later years, Sophia has been hard at work on several Short-Form & Long-Form Features in the sci-fi & action spectrum with Unregistered, Proxy and BLACK SITE. Other exciting projects include a digital series currently in development about the dark side of social media.

A self-professed “tech geek” who loves cameras and has a knack for visual effects, Banks epitomizes the brazen, forthright nature of unstoppable women everywhere and brings unparalleled beauty and style to each project bearing her name.