Draft:Saisha Shinde
Indian fashion designer and trans rights advocate
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Saisha Shinde is an Indian fashion designer, trans rights advocate and television personality. She is the founder of the couture label Saisha and is known for designing gowns worn by Harnaaz Sandhu at Miss Universe 2021 and 2023.[1][2]
Submission declined on 6 December 2025 by ChrysGalley (talk).
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Comment: This is very, very close but there are a number of details getting in the way.The Versace source no longer works, and that seems a significant detail which helps notability.There are 3 other "citation needed" points that need sources - IMDb and Facebook can't be used as sources. For a WP:BLP every statement that can be challenged needs a reliable source.For overall notability we cannot use interview text, though there is editorial context which is just about OK for notability. I'm slightly nervous about relying on the Bohra story, though it seems a valid source. The issue here is that it isn't what she says that matters, it is other people talking about the subject, which Bohra did. But it would be better if we can have one maybe two more independent references.But the article is very close to acceptance so I hope the submitting editor will persist on this. ChrysGalley (talk) 12:28, 6 December 2025 (UTC)
 | This is a draft article. It is a work in progress open to editing by anyone. Please ensure core content policies are met before publishing it as a live Wikipedia article. Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL Last edited by ChrysGalley (talk | contribs) 3 months ago. (Update)
Finished drafting? or |
Saisha Shinde | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mumbai, India |
| Other names | Swapnil Shinde (former name) |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Known for | Miss Universe gowns; couture label Saisha; reality television |
Formerly known as Swapnil Shinde, she first gained national recognition as a finalist on the reality design show Lakmé Fashion House (2005).[3] She made her runway debut at Lakmé Fashion Week in 2008 and went on to present 13 consecutive seasons of collections.[4]
Early life and education
Shinde was born in Mumbai, India. She studied fashion design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).[5] As a finalist on Lakmé Fashion House, she was awarded an internship with the House of Versace in Italy.[6]
Career
Fashion
Shinde presented her first collection, Reality Escape, at Lakmé Fashion Week in 2008.[4] She became known for structured evening wear, metallic accents and sculptural silhouettes, and later launched her couture label Saisha.[7]
She has designed for several Hindi and South Indian films and music videos. Her costume work has appeared in projects such as Bombay Velvet, Rustom, Ponniyin Selvan: I & II, and songs including "Besharam Rang", "Oo Antava", "Burj Khalifa" and "Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha".[citation needed]
Miss Universe gowns
Shinde designed Harnaaz Sandhu's final night gown for Miss Universe 2021 in Israel. In 2023, she designed Sandhu's farewell gown, which paid tribute to Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta.[2]
She has also designed finale evening gowns for Indian representatives at international pageants, including Shraddha Shashidhar, Nehal Chudasama, Aditi Hundia and Ayushree Malik.[citation needed]
Project Runway
In 2015, as Swapnil Shinde, she competed on season 14 of Project Runway in the United States, finishing in the Top 6.[8]
Reality television
In 2022, Shinde appeared on Lock Upp, hosted by Kangana Ranaut, becoming the first openly trans woman contestant on a mainstream Hindi reality show.[9][10]
Media and public image
Shinde came out as a trans woman on 5 January 2021, a moment widely covered by Indian media.[1][11] She has since been recognised for her advocacy for trans visibility and body autonomy.[citation needed]
Awards and recognition
- First runner-up, Lakmé Fashion House (2005), including internship with House of Versace.[6]
- GenNext designer, Lakmé Fashion Week (2006); 13 consecutive seasons from 2008 onward.
- Recognised for Miss Universe gowns (2021, 2023).
- Reliable sources include: reputable newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and books from respected publishers.
- Unacceptable sources include: personal blogs, social media, predatory publishers, most tabloids, and websites where anyone can contribute.
Replace any unreliable sources with high-quality sources. If you cannot find a reliable source for the material, it should be removed.