By the time you’re reading this, those connected with the British Plus-Size Fashion Weekend to be held in London on February 15-16, will be abuzz with activity as the fashion worlds’ lens will be trained on the ramp. Back home, however, there’s not much to cheer about, on and off the ramp, for these women.

A model showcases a design for a plus-size woman at the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival in Sydney, Australia. Pic/Getty Images