<p>Harnaaz Sandhu became Miss Universe 2021 and brought home the title after 21 years wearing a gown designed by artist Saisha Shinde who identifies herself as a transwoman.</p>.<p>Sandhu’s stunning silver gown caught the attention of many on the big day when she won Miss Universe and Shinde couldn’t be more proud of her creation. </p>.<p>"We did it," Shinde wrote in an Instagram post on Sandhu’s win.</p>.<p>Shinde publicly came out as a transwoman earlier this year with an Instagram post mentioning: "It was only in my early 20s at NIFT where I found the courage to accept my truth; I truly bloomed. I spent the next few years believing that I was attracted to men because I was gay, but it was only 6 years ago that I finally accepted to myself, and today that I accept to you. I'm not a gay man. I am a Transwoman.”</p>.<p>Saisha Shinde, formerly known as Swapnil Shinde, showed the making of Sandhu’s gown through a series of Instagram posts.</p>.<p>Only two Indians before Sandhu, just 21 and an actor as well as a model, have been crowned Miss Universe earlier -- actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.</p>.<p>The win, being seen as a fillip for the beauty pageant industry, led to celebrations at her home and congratulatory messages from all quarters, including from politicians, showbiz celebs and the two former title holders.</p>.<p><em>(With PTI inputs)</em></p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
<p>Harnaaz Sandhu became Miss Universe 2021 and brought home the title after 21 years wearing a gown designed by artist Saisha Shinde who identifies herself as a transwoman.</p>.<p>Sandhu’s stunning silver gown caught the attention of many on the big day when she won Miss Universe and Shinde couldn’t be more proud of her creation. </p>.<p>"We did it," Shinde wrote in an Instagram post on Sandhu’s win.</p>.<p>Shinde publicly came out as a transwoman earlier this year with an Instagram post mentioning: "It was only in my early 20s at NIFT where I found the courage to accept my truth; I truly bloomed. I spent the next few years believing that I was attracted to men because I was gay, but it was only 6 years ago that I finally accepted to myself, and today that I accept to you. I'm not a gay man. I am a Transwoman.”</p>.<p>Saisha Shinde, formerly known as Swapnil Shinde, showed the making of Sandhu’s gown through a series of Instagram posts.</p>.<p>Only two Indians before Sandhu, just 21 and an actor as well as a model, have been crowned Miss Universe earlier -- actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.</p>.<p>The win, being seen as a fillip for the beauty pageant industry, led to celebrations at her home and congratulatory messages from all quarters, including from politicians, showbiz celebs and the two former title holders.</p>.<p><em>(With PTI inputs)</em></p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>