Designer Swapnil Shinde comes out as a transwoman; changes name to Saisha

Updated: 06 January, 2021 14:20 IST | mid-day online correspondent | Mumbai

Well-known fashion designer Swapnil Shinde recently came out as a transwoman. Sunny Leone, among others, has congratulated the designer

Sunny Leone with the designer. Picture/AFP
Sunny Leone with the designer. Picture/AFP

Swapnil Shinde, a fashion designer who has styled Bollywood divas like Sunny Leone, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, among many others, recently came out as a transwoman. The designer shared the news on Instagram.

Here's what Saisha shared: "Here we go 2021. P.s: Saisha means a meaningful life and I plan to make mine an exceptionally meaningful one."

The post reads, "All through school and college, while the boys outside tormented me because I was different, the internal pain was far worse,” she wrote in her post. “I felt suffocated living in a reality that I knew wasn’t mine, yet one that I had to stage everyday because of societal expectations and norms. It was only in my early 20s at NIFT where I found the courage to accept my truth; I truly bloomed (sic)..."

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by S A I S H A S H I N D E (@officialswapnilshinde)

Several of Saisha's industry friends commented on the post with words of encouragement for the designer. Sunny Leone said, "I love you and I am so proud of you for being the BEST YOU!! The YOU you always wanted to be. Congrats and happy birthday SISTA!!"

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by S A I S H A S H I N D E (@officialswapnilshinde)

Model Diandra Soares wrote, "Friggin stunnnnnnaish", Aditi Rao Hydari said, "Big hug", actress Hazel Keech commented, "Brave and courageous."

Saisha Shinde is a NIFT alumnus, and has worked with some of the biggest names in the fashion and film industry.

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First Published: 06 January, 2021 13:53 IST

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