A 62-year-old who is an Instagram sensation says she loves showing off her 'lines and wrinkles' and feels more confident now than she was in her twenties.

Nikki Redcliffe, who lives in Brighton, says she used to be 'average' in terms of looks and clothing during her 'mummy years', but was self-conscious as a younger woman and even considered cosmetic surgery.

However, in her 50s she stopped following trends and started wearing clothes she felt comfortable in, and found her confidence soaring.

She began showing off her incredible 1950s-inspired wardrobe and showstopping looks on social media five years ago, and has built an impressive following of 29,000, and has even done some modelling after being signed to an agency.

Now the business owner has embraced 'ageing gracefully' and loves using her platform to prove that those over the age of 50 aren't 'invisible' and 'irrelevant'.

Nikki Redcliffe (pictured), who lives in Brighton, began showing off her incredible 1950s-inspired wardrobe and showstopping looks on social media just five years ago

She said: 'I was always obsessed with clothes and fashion, even as a small child. In my teens I spent every penny on my wardrobe and I still consider my Saturday job at Biba to be the best job I ever had.

'I was a dedicated follower of fashion and with a special interest in designs of the past. I hankered after a career in design but gained a History degree before going on to work in PR and then in marketing and new product development in the fashion cosmetics industry.

'I took a bit of a fashion holiday during the 'mummy years' when time and money were in short supply, but I never lost my love of clothes.

'I was averagely nice looking and usually well-dressed, but I only really developed a strong personal style after the age of fifty, when I gave up following fashion and just wore what made me happy. Now I regard the fashion world with interest but no desire to participate.

'As a young woman I was less confident and there were more pressures in life which I couldn't control - work, children, family, husband, finances etc.

'I have found ageing to be very liberating and I love the freedom and independence I now have to do what I want, wear what I want, be the person I want to be.

The business owner has embraced 'ageing gracefully' and loves using her platform to prove that those over the age of 50 aren't 'invisible' and 'irrelevant'

'When I was younger, I thought I might resort to cosmetic surgery at some point but now I've reached that point where I'm completely against surgery.

'In this world of Instagram beauty and with so many young women having cosmetic procedures I think there will be a backlash and the untouched face of ageing will have a certain cachet.'

Nikki, who has posted a host of photos wearing leopard print fur coats, patterned kimonos and vintage bathing suits, says she never uses filters or tuning apps on her images.

She said: 'I also hate the way everyone uses filters and image tuning apps on their photos. I play with light and colour on photos if necessary, but I've never learned how to get rid of my bumps, lines and wrinkles. What's the point? In the real world I can't hide them.

Although she has always loved fashion, the part-time model says she was self-conscious with the way she looked as a younger woman (right) and even considered cosmetic surgery

'I'm happier now than at any point in life. My twenties and thirties had many high points, particularly becoming a mother, but I wouldn't want to change places and go through it all again. I have no regrets and am filled with excitement about what lies ahead.'

Nikki says that her physique and complexion is a result of 'fortunate genes' rather than dieting or exercise, but encourages women to stop trying to control their appearance to remain youthful and to instead embrace the process of ageing.

'I've never tried to fight the ageing process or turn back the clock, I don't want to look younger; I just want to look as good as I can, regardless of age,' she said.

Nikki, who has posted a host of photos wearing leopard print fur coats, cocktail dresses, patterned kimonos and vintage bathing suits, says she never uses filters or tuning apps on her images

'I didn't decide to maintain a youthful appearance. If that is the result, then it is almost accidental. I just refused to accept stereotypical views about how women 'of a certain age' should look and dress.

'A lot of women lose their confidence and give up trying. Bombarded by unrealistic images of beautiful young women; they feel hopeless and seem to embrace the beige cardigan and comfy shoes as their lot in life.

'I managed to age gracefully by having a positive attitude and refusing to believe that life was over just because I was over fifty. I never consider my age to be an obstacle.

Nikki says that her physique and complexion is a result of 'fortunate genes' rather than dieting or exercise

She encourages women to stop trying to control their appearance to remain youthful and to instead embrace the process of ageing

'In fact, now I have more time, money and freedom to look and dress as I wish. I don't follow any diet or exercise regimes, but I'm fit, healthy and active; both mentally and physically.

'I put in a fair amount of effort on personal care and good grooming is essential to looking great at any age. I think that people have a 'best age' and I hope mine is my sixties.

'I was never a model, but I was approached by an agency a couple of years ago and signed with them. It has not exactly resulted in a modelling career, but I've enjoyed the few jobs I've done.

'I never diet and rarely exercise. I eat and drink what I want but I've never been a great 'foodie', so I don't think about food very much.

Nikki (pictured younger left and right) says she is happier now than at any point in her life. She says her twenties and thirties had many high points, particularly becoming a mother

Nikki says she often gets told she looks younger than her years but she never gives in to the pressure to 'keep young and beautiful'

'I don't do any regular exercise, but I'd say I'm fit, supple and strong, which must be due to fortunate genes rather than a fitness regime.

'There are many downsides to getting older - thinner hair, saggy skin, lines and wrinkles, loss of muscle tone etc.

'Maintenance for me means making the best of the situation rather than relentlessly trying to turn back the tide of time.'

Nikki says she often gets told she looks younger than her years but she never gives in to the pressure to 'keep young and beautiful'.

'I'm definitely not trying to look younger than my age, but I do get mainly positive comments. Some people say "you don't look sixty-two" as if that's the best compliment they could give. I don't mind looking sixty-two as long as it's the best sixty-two I can be.

Nikki (pictured left as a young woman) says she never tried to look younger than her age but does get people saying she looks more youthful than her years

'Health is the biggest factor and a lot of women have health issues which affect their weight, their looks, their mobility and their mental wellbeing.

'Finding the right medical help to cope with menopause is crucial. Eat less, move more is often repeated but it really works.

'I'm doing a dry January, which isn't much fun but at least proves I'm not a raging alcoholic and drinking less throughout the year is a good idea.

'A person's genetic inheritance will have a bearing on what shape they might end up in later life and I realise I'm very lucky that my mother stayed slim all her life.

'Above all, don't feel pressure to 'keep young and beautiful'. I find the way I look affects my outlook on life and if I look good, I feel good. For some people it doesn't matter at all.. The important thing is to be happy in your own skin.'