On an overcast day, among a crowd of Canberrans in stern greys and blacks, Kathleen O'Brien stands out on the Gungahlin street in her bright pink, pleated blouse, sharp blue jeans and knee-high, black leather boots. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading $ 0 / $ NaN /year All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue O'Brien is what you might call "plus-size"model, assuming that term doesn't make you horribly uncomfortable.
It's one of many definitions forced upon people who don't fit into society's typical understanding of the world as portrayed by the unforgiving, high-resolution lens of television, magazines and billboard advertising. "I feel like the term 'plus-size' is one of the more OK ones to call someone," she says. "I don't like the words fat or overweight or obese because I feel like they're very derogatory.
" Kathleen O'Brien from Diversity Models. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong Terms like "fat" and "plus-size" have undergone something of an overhaul in the world of fashion and (particularly women's) bodies. Traditionally one of the worst schoolyard taunts, "fat" has largely been reclaimed by commentators hoping to strip it of its negative connotations, allowing them to simply be what they are.
In contrast, "plus-size", once the politically correct phrase.
