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Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 14, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth1981

Age40 Years

BirthplaceHindu Colony, Dadar, Mumbai

ProfessionFashion Designer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyFather - Tulsidas Shinde; Mother - artist

Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde) Biography

Saisha Tulsidas Shinde, professionally known earlier as Swapnil Shinde, is an Indian fashion designer recognized as the country’s first transgender fashion

Early life and background

Saisha Tulsidas Shinde was born in 1981 and raised in Hindu Colony, Dadar, Mumbai. She attended St. Joseph’s High School in Wadala and later studied fashion at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Mumbai, graduating in 2003. She also completed a six-month internship at the House of Versace in Italy. Saisha comes from a Maharashtrian family; her father, Tulsidas Shinde, owns a chain of restaurants including Hotel Rishi in Dadar, while her mother is described as an artist.

From childhood she experienced gender-related difficulties and was teased by schoolmates for having feminine features. Those early years shaped her personal journey, and in her twenties she grappled with gender dysphoria. Over time, through medical consultations and therapy, she came to identify as a trans woman and chose the name Saisha, a choice she has said carries personal meaning.

Career

Saisha began her entry into the fashion world working in retail at a Kimaya fashion store in Mumbai, where she advanced from sales staff to visual merchandiser. She launched her eponymous label, initially under the name Swapnil Shinde, in 2007 and made an early public showing at Lakmé Fashion Week in 2006.

Her work extended into costume design for Hindi cinema, with credits on films including Fashion (2008), Guzaarish (2010), and Laxmii (2020). She has designed for prominent Bollywood actresses and has presented collections at multiple fashion events. Internationally, she competed on Project Runway Season 14 in 2015.

A high-profile moment in her career came when the Miss Universe 2021 winner wore a gown she designed in the final round of the pageant. That gown featured detailed embellishment and drew on motifs inspired by phulkari embroidery, created with sustainability in mind by reusing embroidery materials from her studio. Saisha has described balancing delicacy and strength in such bridal and eveningwear designs, reflecting her brand’s aesthetic.

Public profile

Saisha is widely recognized as India’s first transgender fashion designer. Her transition and public presence have been part of her professional narrative; she has spoken about undergoing hormone therapy, voice training, hair treatment, and surgeries as part of her medical and social transition, and she has credited therapy and close family and friends for emotional support.

She maintains a public persona that blends spirituality and personal interests. She has expressed faith in Lord Ganesha and is an animal lover who has kept pet cats. Saisha has shared aspects of her life on social media, including posts about her pets and professional updates.

Personal life

Saisha remained unmarried as of the details provided. She has a close relationship with her family; her father has been publicly supportive throughout her career and gender transition, and her niece’s name influenced Saisha’s choice of her own name. She has a few tattoos and has spoken candidly about past struggles with anxiety and panic attacks during the period when she was coming to terms with her identity.

Latest updates

In 2020 Saisha underwent gender reassignment surgery after a period of medical and therapeutic preparation. In 2022 she appeared as a contestant on the digital reality show Lock Upp. Her brand continues to work in fashion shows and red-carpet dressing, and she remains a visible figure in Indian fashion and popular culture.

Saisha’s career path—from retail and NIFT training to international internships, film costume work, reality TV appearances, and designing for high-profile pageants—has made her a notable presence in contemporary Indian fashion. She has described her creative identity as evolving alongside her personal journey, and she continues to present work that aims to combine elegance with strength.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Lock Upp (contestant)

Contestant on the digital reality show Lock Upp (2022).

2022
Gown for Miss Universe 2021 winner

Designed the final-round gown worn by the Miss Universe 2021 winner, incorporating phulkari-inspired motifs and reused embroidery materials.

2021
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Career Highlights

  1. Graduated from National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai (2003)
  2. Internship at House of Versace, Italy
  3. Debuted at Lakmé Fashion Week (2006)
  4. Launched fashion label 'Swapnil Shinde' (2007)
  5. Designed for films including Fashion (2008), Guzaarish (2010), and Laxmii (2020)
  6. Participated in Project Runway Season 14 (2015)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde) born?

Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde) was born on 1981.

What is Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde) known for?

Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde) is known for fashion Designer.

What is Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde)’s marital status?

Saisha Shinde (Swapnil Shinde)'s marital status is listed as Unmarried.