Adhisha Harshani Dahanayake, the Founding Director and CEO of Double XL, is a trailblazer in the fashion industry, hailing from Kandy, Sri Lanka’s picturesque hill capital. With Higher National Diplomas in Business Administration and Psychology, Adhisha transformed her passion for inclusivity into a thriving business dedicated to celebrating body diversity.
Throughout her life, she faced challenges in a society that often marginalised plus-size individuals, fuelling her determination to create a brand that empowers and uplifts.
Since its inception, Double XL has evolved from a pioneering plus-size fashion label to a lifestyle brand, challenging societal norms and redefining beauty standards. Adhisha’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and body positivity is evident in her numerous accolades, including the Honorary Doctor of Business from the Malaysia-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce recognition, as one of Sri Lanka’s Women Leaders at the World Women Leadership Congress & Awards, and the Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur Award at the Top 50 Professional & Career Women Awards.
Through her innovative strategies and resilience, Adhisha has not only built a successful enterprise but has also fostered a supportive community for those often overlooked in the fashion landscape. In this exclusive interview, Adhisha shares her inspiring journey, the challenges she has faced, and her vision for the future of fashion, highlighting the importance of embracing every body and empowering individuals through style and confidence.
Q. Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your childhood that you believe has influenced your journey to success?
I suppose the experiences I had, especially when I was an adolescent, shaped who I am and what I wanted to do with my life. At a very young age, I realised that my body type was not represented in the fashion industry because it was not accepted by society. Body shaming was so normalised because we were conditioned to embrace only one body type. It was easy to look past how beautiful, able, and strong my body was when I was constantly reminded by society that the figure I had was anything but ideal. When I was marginalised in every aspect of my life because of how I looked, I subconsciously regarded myself as inferior. For a greater part of my life, I dealt with insecurity. The one area where I felt the most insecure about my body was fashion. For me, shopping was never as easy or therapeutic as it was for others. In fact, it was a traumatic experience because I was body-shamed by salespeople and also never found any desirable clothes that were actually my size. It was this realisation that made me want to create a brand that would break stereotypes of plus-size individuals and create awareness about body diversity so that society might become a safe place for everybody.
Q. What inspired you to pursue your current career path, and how has that journey unfolded for you?
As a little girl, I faced numerous challenges when shopping for clothes. The limited options available mirrored my insecurities when they should have reinforced my confidence. For years, I walked into a store knowing that I would feel left out, that no brand cared enough to celebrate me. Upon realising that my sentiments were reflected by a majority of Sri Lankans, I made it my mission to start a clothing line that provided fashionable, on-trend garments for plus-size individuals. There were many milestones throughout the history of Double XL. It went from being the first plus-size fashion brand to a lifestyle brand that celebrated body diversity and embraced body positivity. Double XL was the first to introduce plus-size models and to normalise body diversity in the Sri Lankan fashion industry and in society at large. 14 years later, Double XL has achieved everything it formerly set out to do. Double XL is both a brand and a social agent. By introducing an assortment of plus-size clothing to the Sri Lankan market, Double XL simultaneously changed society’s perspectives on beauty standards and further fostered acceptance of diverse body types. As the next phase, Double XL launched the Freedom Collection in October 2023. As the name suggests, the purpose of the brand is to introduce a collection of vibrant, colourful designs that suit any body shape, so that anybody, irrespective of their size, is free to wear them. Double XL will continue to make fashion inclusive and remain true to its tagline, “beauty comes in all sizes.”
Q. Can you share a pivotal moment or challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
The Sri Lankan market, like any other, is not quick to embrace new or rather unconventional products. During the initial stages, we struggled to attract customers because they were sceptical of a fashion brand that catered only to plus-size people. It was unheard of at the time. It took about two years for our customers to walk into the store and purchase items for themselves. Initially, our customers remained in their vehicles while our salespeople brought a couple of clothing options for them to choose from. It is so rewarding to see how much has changed since then. We currently own two stores and have gained loyal customers. I am glad that we did not get discouraged. We found a niche in the market, and we pride ourselves on being able to provide the best product, solution, and style for our customers.
Of course, we know that the challenges will keep on coming. During the height of the pandemic, we struggled as a business because we could not rely on online sales. Our customers preferred visiting the store because trying on clothes and buying the right size are important for a plus-size individual. However, with the lockdown and travel restrictions in place, our customers were not able to visit the store. Therefore, we introduced a strategy through which our customers could make an appointment and select their clothes via video call. They could judge the right size by looking at the mannequins that were on display.
Since we are catering to a niche market, we face unique challenges. Personally, I enjoy coming up with innovative solutions. It is a great way to test one’s creativity.
Q. How do you maintain motivation and drive in your work, especially when faced with obstacles or setbacks?
I take a moment to reflect on how far Double XL, as a brand, has come. Reading customer feedback always helps. Their heartfelt messages solidify the fact that we have actually made a positive impact on society.
Q. What do you think about achieving this Leadership Excellence Platinum Award?
It marked a huge win for all of us at Double XL. I was deeply honoured to receive the Global CEO-Under 45 Leadership Excellence Platinum Award. Double XL was built on the need to create change in society and to normalise body diversity. It was not a one-time project but rather a continuous process that required a lot of commitment, hard work, and dedication, especially since we were the first plus-size fashion and lifestyle brand in Sri Lanka. I’m utterly grateful. It feels so rewarding to be recognised for our passion and perseverance!
Q. What advice would you give to other young professionals aspiring to achieve similar success in their respective fields?
Believe in your capabilities, cultivate resilience, and trust your instincts. Prioritise self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Embrace your unique perspective as an entrepreneur—it’s your strength, not a limitation. Continuously educate yourself, stay adaptable, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to take calculated risks.
