Hansika Chhabria, the Founder of fashion brand One Less, is a passionate advocate for sustainability in the fashion industry. Born and raised in Pune, India, and now based in London, Hansika was inspired to launch her brand after recognising the stark environmental and social inequalities tied to global fashion production. While studying at King’s College London, she learned about the disproportionate impact that fashion has on countries like India, where manufacturing takes place under exploitative conditions, and the North consumes the products without bearing the environmental cost. This realisation motivated her to create a brand that would make a tangible difference.
Founded in 2021, One Less is a conscious fashion brand dedicated to minimising its environmental and social impact. The brand sources sustainable fabrics locally, uses chemical-free dyes, and ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for its artisans. Through initiatives like the ‘1 Tree = 1 Purchase’ campaign, One Less has planted over 1,500 trees, benefiting local communities in Pune.
In a recent interview with Business Frontier, Hansika opens up about the values behind One Less, the future of conscious fashion and the importance of building trust with customers through authenticity and sustainability.
Q. What inspired you to start a brand focused on sustainability, and how do you keep that vision at the forefront of your business?
The detrimental impact of fast fashion on the planet was my wake-up call. I wanted to create a brand that not only stands for style but for conscious consumption as well. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at One Less, it’s the foundation of every decision we make. From choosing ethically sourced fabrics to ensuring our supply chain aligns with our environmental goals, we’re continuously refining our processes to ensure we’re making choices that are as kind to the planet as they are to our customers.
Q. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a young leader in the fashion industry, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges is getting others to understand the value of sustainability, especially in a space where profit margins and speed often take precedence. Adjacent stakeholders, from fabric suppliers to manufacturers, don’t always have the facilities or mindset needed to support our sustainable initiatives. But we’ve persevered by seeking out partners who share our values, staying patient, and never compromising on our core mission. It’s not easy, but the long-term impact is worth every challenge.
Q. How do you foster a culture of innovation and unity within your team at One Less?
Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and we make it a point to stay on top of global trends, not just local ones. We have regular check-ins and brainstorming sessions, where we treat everyone’s voice equally, whether they’re on the creative side or the operations side. Everyone has an equal say and opinion on every product, social media decision or pop up/event activation we partake in.
Q. What are your long-term goals for One Less in terms of sustainability and social impact?
Our long-term goal is to create a fully circular model, which includes a buy-back service that allows customers to return their worn pieces, ensuring they’re recycled into new products. We aim to achieve a 100% circular production rate. Additionally, we want to amplify our social impact by collaborating with communities that support ethical production and environmental sustainability.
Q. How do you maintain a balance between your professional responsibilities and personal life as a young entrepreneur?
It’s definitely a juggling act. The key is setting boundaries, both with myself and with my work. I make time to step away, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. Balance is essential not just for my personal life but for my creativity and leadership in the business. A healthy mind leads to better decision-making.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring leaders who want to make a difference in the fashion industry?
Never lose sight of the bigger picture. Follow the example of leaders like Stella McCartney, who has made it her mission to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint while staying true to her creative vision. Sustainability is not a trend – it’s a necessity. If you’re passionate about making a difference, build a brand with values that will resonate in the long-term and challenge the status quo.
