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

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)..."

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!!"

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.