Student shows big is beautiful at groundbreaking size 16 fashion show

Hayley Morley juggles modelling with a degree at Reading university

At 21, she is studying for her university finals and hopes to become a surveyor like her father.
This weekend, however, Hayley Morley was busy doing something else - changing the face of London Fashion Week as one of the few curvy models taking to the catwalk.
A healthy size 14, she is far fuller-figured than the size six models normally hired by designers.
She has become a muse for designer Mark Fast since meeting him last year, and appeared in his show on Saturday as part of his campaign to use 'real-sized' women.
The 5ft 9in student first worked for the Canadian designer in September in a show which featured a number of size 12 and 14 models.

She said yesterday: 'I had hundreds of messages of support from young girls and young women, saying thank you for being a more real model.
'I think that finally there is someone young and they feel they can relate to more than a size six model. It makes me proud.'
But the model, from Surrey - whose career began two years ago after she was spotted working in a wine bar in Guildford - suggests a career on the catwalk is not for her.
Miss Morely, who says she eats healthily and goes to the gym, has vowed to knuckle down for the last months of her BSc in Investment and Finance in Property at Reading University and will become an RICS-accredited property surveyor when she graduates in May.

Hayley takes to the runway for the Autumn/Winter 2010 Mark Fast show

Hayley is one of the few curvy models taking to the catwalk

Before that she has finals, and has been trying to work for these between modelling jobs.
'It is very difficult,' she said. 'If it wasn't for my boyfriend, who does the same course as me, I would be in real trouble. He goes to all the lectures and tells me about them.
'I do have to concentrate now London Fashion Week is done. I worked very hard at school and don't want that to go to waste.'
Miss Morley has had to juggle university with a ten-fold increase in offers of modelling jobs since modelling for Mr Fast in September.
Last week she was modelling swimwear in the Seychelles for French Marie Claire, returned to shoot pictures for plus-size High Street chain Evans, and then immediately took to the catwalk for Mr Fast on Saturday.

Last night the 28-year-old designer said: 'Hayley is a wonderful, sexy, gorgeous woman.

'It is important for me to continue using curvier models because there needs to be an understanding that my clothes are for all body shapes.
'There are real women out there that want to be able to escape into the fantasy of fashion just like everyone else regardless of their size.'

Hayley, centre, enjoys student life with a couple of friends