Fashion designer Saisha Shinde comes out as transgender

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jan 8, 2021

Celebrated fashion designer Saisha Shinde has shared that she is a transgender woman and thanked her womenswear brand’s followers for their support, promising her most honest collection to date.  

Saisha Shinde, founder and designer of luxury brand Swapnil Shinde, took to Instagram on January 5 to share her news to positive responses from celebrities including Hina Khan. 
 
“Accepting and sharing my truth hasn’t been easy, but I’m blessed to be born to a father who has been an endless source of strength, a family who has always came around for my happiness, and friends who have rallied through the toughest times,” Shinde posted on her brand’s Instagram page.

“I thank all those of you who have helped me birth Saisha Shinde. I promise to always live my truth fearlessly.” 
 
“My ideas of what clothing and comfort should be have changed tremendously,” Shinde told Vogue India about how her transformation has impacted her brand.

“My Lakmé Fashion Week summer/resort 2020 collection was a lot more fluid and evolved because of the changes in my personal life. My early collections lacked cohesiveness. My personal confusion reflected in my clothes. Now that I am finally my full self, there is a great deal of clarity.”
 
“I don’t want to design bridal lehengas because everyone else is,” said Shinde, about what is in store for the future. “I’d rather create fewer pieces, as long as they are valid and relevant. My next collection will be my most honest one yet.” 
 
Shinde has dressed a number of Bollywood celebrities including Deepika Padukone, Kiara Advani, Bhumi Pednekar, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, among others. Shinde’s brand is known for its dark and glamorous aesthetics.