Saisha Shinde details, age, height, weight, career, and more

Saisha Shinde is an Indian fashion designer. She is also known for being the first transgender fashion designer in India. Recently, she has been in the spotlight because she participated in the digital reality show ‘Lock Upp.’ This show is also hosted by the famous Indian actress Kangana Ranaut. 

About Saisha Shinde

Early life, family and education of Saisha Shinde

Saisha Tulsidas Shinde’s real name is Swapnil Shinde. She was born in 1981. Her birthplace is Hindu Colony, Dadar, Mumbai. She also did her schooling at St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala, Mumbai. Afterward, in 2003, she pursued her graduation from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai.

Moreover, she did a six-month internship in fashion at House of Versace, Italy. Also, Saisha was born in a conservative Maharashtrian family. Her father’s name is Tulsidas Shinde, who owns a chain of restaurants (including Hotel Rishi in Dadar, Mumbai). Also, Her mother is an artist. However, she had an elder sister who died of chronic kidney failure.

Saisha’s struggle and changes

Saisha Shinde was born in a male body, but she had various feminine features for which her classmates bullied her. While she was in her 20s, she realized that she was attracted towards men and not women. Initially, she accepted herself as gay, but after a few therapies with the doctors, she realized she was a trans woman. In an interview, she shared that she suffered from gender dysphoria (distress a person feels due to a mismatch between their gender identity) in her 20s.

During an interview, Saisha shared that she was terrified to tell her parents that she was a trans woman, but when she said her parents, they were pretty standard about it.

In 2020, she decided to opt for gender reassignment surgery. The procedure started with various sessions with the Indian psychiatrists Dr. Neha Shah and Dr. Armaan Pandey. She then had hormone replacement therapy with endocrinologist Dr. Dheeraj Kapoor at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, followed by a hair treatment at Metamorphosis Clinic Mumbai. Saisha had to attend voice modulation training as her voice was too manly. She had a few more surgeries to change her looks like a woman completely.

Career

Saisha Shinde started working as a sales boy at the Kimaya Fashion Store in Mumbai as soon as she completed her internship. Then, she was promoted as a visual merchandiser in the same store. She also debuted as a fashion designer in the 2006 Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) as part of the Gen, Next class. Afterward, in 2007, she started her fashion label ‘Swapnil Shinde.’

Moreover, the fashion critics liked her work, and soon, she started gaining popularity as a fashion designer among Bollywood celebrities. Also, the designed clothes for various Indian actresses like Kareena, Deepika, and Aditi Rao Hydari. Her artistry has been showcased at multiple renowned Indian fashion shows.

Saisha also has worked as a costume stylist for various Hindi films such as

• ‘Fashion’ (2008),
• ‘Guzaarish’ (2010), and
• ‘Laxmi’ (2020).

In addition, in 2015, she participated as one of the contestants in the famous American TV show ‘Project Runway Season 14. Recently, she appeared on the reality show Lockupp.

Also, the famous gown worn by the Indian model Harnaz Kaur Sandhu (winner of Miss Universe 2021) in the final round of the beauty pageant Miss Universe 2021 was designed by Saisha.

Some interesting facts about Saisha Shinde

• Saisha Shinde has a deep faith in Lord Ganesha.
• She is also an animal lover. She also has a few pet cats. One of her pet cats named Mimi Shinde died in 2020.
• She has got a few tattoos inked on her body, and one of them is on the left side of her neck.
• Before her transition as a trans woman, she smoked more often.

• In an interview, Saisha shared that she wanted to keep her name Mastani (after her transgender treatment was over). However, everyone in her family hated that name, so she opted for Saisha.

Also read: Poonam Pandey