Saisha Shinde is an Indian fashion designer. She is famous for being the first transgender fashion designer in India. In 2022, she participated in the digital reality show ‘Lock Upp’ hosted by famous Indian actress Kangana Ranaut.
Wiki/Biography
Saisha Tulsidas Shinde aka Swapnil Shinde (former name) was born in 1981 (age 41 years; in 2022) in Hindu Colony, Dadar, Mumbai.
Saisha Shinde’s Instagram post
He attended St. Joseph, Wadala, Mumbai. In 2003, she continued her studies from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai. Saisha trained for six months in the field of fashion at the House of Versace, Italy.
Physical appearance
Height: 6′ 2″
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Family
He was born in a conservative Maharashtrian family.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Tulsidas Shinde, owns a chain of restaurants (including Hotel Rishi in Dadar, Mumbai). His mother is an artist. He had an older sister, who died of chronic kidney failure.
India’s First Transgender Fashion Designer
He was born in a male body, but he has many feminine characteristics that cause him to be bullied by his classmates. In an interview, Saisha talked about it, she said,
My school friends used to tease me by saying “aye, baila.” They bully me because I’m shy, and have feminine features. Those were the worst years of my life. The church on the school grounds became a sanctuary, where I would wait in the corner until everyone else left for the day.”
He continued,
After spending most of my school life feeling like less of a man, I decided to make my behavior and appearance hyper-masculine. It was a 100 percent conscious decision. We’re talking about the early ’90s when gay men were reduced to caricatures.”
In her 20s, she realized that she was attracted to men and not women. At first, she accepts herself as gay, but after some therapy with a doctor, she realizes that she is a trans woman. In an interview, she shared that she developed gender dysphoria (the distress a person feels because of a mismatch between their gender identities) in her 20s. He went on to talk about his life as a gay man. He said,
I come from a privileged family and am financially well off as a designer. It was easier to live in denial, but I realized that something was not right. That in the end I had to live for myself. My friends don’t know that I wear makeup and heels and dress up behind closed doors. I live between the sexes; I feel like a woman dressed as a man with rugged boots and stubble, not the other way around.”
During the interview, Saisha shared that she was very scared to tell her parents that she is a trans woman, but when she told her parents, they were quite normal about it. He said,
I am struggling to find the right terms in Marathi, to express what I feel and who I will become. My father is very liberal. She was always there for me, from buying me dolls when I was little to supporting my career in fashion, and standing by my side when I made decisions about gender transition, even talking to the doctor I was about to see. He couldn’t recognize me when I met him dressed as a woman for the first time. He helped me choose a new name [the designer shares the name Saisha with her niece]. We now exchange hair and makeup tips.”
In 2020, she decided to opt for gender reassignment surgery. The procedure began with various sessions with Indian psychiatrist Dr. Neha Shah and Dr. Armaan Pandey. She then underwent hormone replacement therapy with endocrinologist Dr. Dheeraj Kapoor at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai followed by hair treatment at Metamorphosis Clinic, Mumbai. Saisha had to attend voice modulation training because her voice was too masculine. She underwent several more surgeries to change her appearance like a woman. During the interview, he said,
My genetic physiology may not ultimately allow me to look like a ‘subtle’ woman but I will be an extraordinary and proud woman, who will wear makeup and heels openly. Mala bhit nahihin ahey.”
Before and after pictures of Saisha Shinde
Career
After training in fashion, he started working as a sales boy at Kimaya Fashion Store in Mumbai. He was later promoted to visual merchandiser in the same store. Saisha made her debut as a fashion designer in Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) 2006 as part of the Gen Next class. In 2007, she started her fashion label ‘Swapnil Shinde.’
Saisha Shinde with Sunny Leone at Lakme Fashion Week
His work was liked by fashion critics, and soon, he began to gain popularity as a fashion designer among Bollywood celebrities. She has designed clothes for various Indian actresses such as Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Aditi Rao Hydari. Her clothes have been showcased at various famous Indian fashion shows.
Saisha has worked as a costume stylist for various Hindi films such as ‘Fashion’ (2008), ‘Guzaarish’ (2010), and ‘Laxmii’ (2020). In 2015, she participated as one of the contestants in the famous American TV show ‘Project Runway Season 14.’
The gown worn by Indian model Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu (winner of Miss Universe 2021) in the finals of the Miss Universe 2021 pageant was designed by Saisha. In an interview, while talking about the gown, Saisha said,
There are certain expectations from Miss India at international pageants. She should look elegant, beautiful and the dress should look delicate and beautiful but at the same time strong, strong, which coincidentally my brand has become now after I transitioned to a woman. The gown is embellished with embroidery, stones, and sequins. Harnaaz believes in sustainability, so we use embroidery materials available in the studio. Also, since she hails from Punjab, we incorporated phulkari inspired motifs in the ensemble. The geometric patterns synonymous with phulkari patterns are given a modern twist.”
Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu gown designed by Saisha Shinde
In 2022, she participated as a contestant in the online reality show ‘Lock Upp’ hosted by Kangana Ranaut and produced by Ekta Kapoor.
Lock Up (2022)
Facts/Trivia
- Saisha is a religious person and has a deep faith in Lord Ganesha.
Saisha Shinde with Lord Ganesha idol
- He is an animal lover and has several pet cats. One of his pet cats named Mimi Shinde died in 2020.
Saisha Shinde’s Instagram post about her cat
- He has got several tattoos on his body and one of them is on the left side of his neck.
Saisha Shinde Tattoo
- In an interview, Saisha shared that she wanted to keep her name Mastani (after her transgender treatment ended), but everyone in her family hated the name, so she chose the name Saisha. He said,
Saisha means meaningful life and I plan to make my life very meaningful. I had a really hard time choosing it. There are four options and the one I love is actually the one everyone else hates! It is Mastani. But then Saisha is what we go for. It defines me a lot.”
- Before transitioning as a trans woman, she smoked more often.
Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde) smokes
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
