A lawyer, photographer, creative director, and community organizer, Elina Banerjee is difficult to pin down— and that’s the point. At her core, she calls herself an artist, someone constantly experimenting and carving space for stories that often go unheard. Through Sneaker, her community-led project dedicated to reframing India’s sneaker and streetwear culture, Elina is reshaping who gets to belong in fashion.
We sat down with Elina to talk about her creative beginnings, her rebellious approach to style, and what’s next for Sneakher.
To start, who is Elina Banerjee?
Elina Banerjee: I think to define myself, Elina Banerjee is a lot of things. But creative at heart. I’m a lawyer and a creative director. I’m also a community person, an inclusive person. I’m queer and I’m trying to make a change in the creative industry. But all in all, the first thing I am is an artist.
When did you realize you were creative at heart? Was there a moment or influence that drew you to storytelling, style, and visuals?
Elina Banerjee: It started with photography. I remember using my father’s phone to take pictures of flowers, and he eventually got me a camera. From there, I started experimenting with self-portraiture. I became my own muse, which taught me so much about my body, about dysphoria and dysmorphia, and about disparities in society.
Photography gave me a way to express myself and also see beauty in myself. It became the starting point for my eye for visuals and style.
As a creative director, what is your approach to bringing a vision to life?
Elina Banerjee: For me, research is everything. I dive into rabbit holes, and if I have an idea, I sit down, study it, and build from there. Execution comes after understanding.
The other key element is community—working with people who resonate with the vision, who are open to feedback and collaboration. A campaign needs that kind of alignment. From research to execution, you have to embody the project completely.
Let’s talk about Sneakher. What inspired you to start it?
Elina Banerjee: Sneakher began in 2020, but our first event was in 2022. My interest started with footwear—I played basketball in high school, so sneakers were always important to me. But when I got into the sneaker community, I realized most of the conversations were one-sided and male-dominated.
There weren’t enough women or LGBTQ voices. That gap made me want to start something different. With guidance from people like Titi Finlay, I organized the first women-led sneaker event in India. The entire team and all the entrepreneurs involved were women. The response was overwhelming.
How would you describe your fashion identity?
Elina Banerjee: Three words: evolving, experimental, rebellious.
I’ve always been about experimentation. I don’t mind putting together a look that might or might not work. I like to push things a little extra, and I’m okay with that. It’s the only way I feel like you can truly find something new.
How has your identity shaped the way you move through the industry?
Elina Banerjee: In India, fashion takes a slow path toward acceptance. It’s not easy to break stereotypes or be taken seriously when you don’t fit the mold. My experiences taught me to dress for myself—not for others’ approval.
Being a lawyer also gave me another lens. I realized how often artists are sidelined by contracts or exploited by corporations. So I started helping creatives with the legal side too. For me, it’s about addressing challenges not just for myself but for other artists who may not have that support.
What keeps you inspired outside of fashion?
Elina Banerjee: Photography is always my grounding point. Francesca Woodman is one of my biggest inspirations—there’s a brilliant documentary on her called The Woodmans. I’m also drawn to set design and architecture, especially what goes on behind a runway show.
I find a lot of inspiration in older shows—Galliano, CDG, Margiela. The way they built worlds on stage continues to influence how I think about fashion and presentation.
How do you hope people feel after experiencing your work?
Elina Banerjee: I used to think art should cater to an audience, but I realized you can’t control how it’s perceived. What I do hope is that my work inspires people to create, to feel like they belong, and to know that their voices matter.
Relatability is important to me because my work comes from a personal place. If it makes someone feel seen, that’s the best outcome. My life’s work is to give artists platforms and visibility—something I often didn’t have myself.
What’s next for Sneakher?
Elina Banerjee: We’re in the middle of a complete rebrand. The plan is to build Sneaker into a magazine-style platform with news, features, and physical products. I want it to become a hub where people can discover new artists and homegrown brands that deserve attention.
It’s the same mission as before—centering underrepresented voices—but elevated. I want to take South Asian sneaker and streetwear culture to a global audience.
Elina Banerjee’s journey is rooted in experimentation, resilience, and community. Whether through photography, creative direction, or Sneaker, she’s committed to reshaping the narratives of who gets to belong in fashion. With her upcoming relaunch, she’s not just spotlighting sneakers—she’s building space for South Asian and queer voices to stand at the forefront of culture.
