When Wendy Hughes' marriage ended she was 63, but it was not so much the end of an era as the beginning of a new life. Two years later she has not only set up her own millinery business, she is winning awards and tackling life with the enthusiasm of a 25-year-old.

Already a successful artist, she decided to channel her creative energy into her new project.

She said: "As an artist I was always interested in textiles, and worked with fabric and thread to create landscapes.

"More recently, I realised I wanted to move away from pure art, and use my skills to create something more practical and commercial."

Following her marriage break-up, Mrs Hughes took the opportunity to go back to college to develop and hone her artistic sensibilities.

"Obviously, I didn't expect to be doing this now, but I am really enjoying it," she said.

"I completed an MA in Textiles at the Winchester School of Art in 2005, during which I developed an interest in wearable textiles.

"I knew I wanted to explore other forms and, after working with similar kinds of fabrics, I thought about making hats."

Using her artistic background as a starting point, Mrs Hughes creates unique, one-off hats, and likens the process to sculpting.

She explained: "I approach hat making like a sculptor would. I have my simple fabric and thread, just like the sculptor would start with a simple piece of clay. It's all about manipulating the form.

"I am inspired by natural shapes like shells and gazelle horns. My hats are very organic, not fussy, and they are all comfortable and durable."

Extension A trademark of Mrs Hughes' hats is that they all fit snugly to the head, and look like they are an extension of the head, rather than a fussy accessory.

She said: "I really like the simplicity of designing a hat, and I want mine to look natural and not over-decorative."

Indeed it was this simplistic, yet very effective, approach that won Mrs Hughes an award from London department store Peter Jones.

She added: "I am very pleased with that, I am also planning to take part in London Fashion Week in September."

Indeed, the overall response to her hats has been very encouraging.

"I first demonstrated my hats at Art in Action in 2005. They were very well received and from there I went ahead and marketed them."

Mrs Hughes, who is based in Toot Baldon, has been very pro-active in taking her product to the Oxfordshire market.

"You have to just get out there and take the risks to get that all-important exposure. I approached Posh Frocks in Oxford and Auvergne in Henley-on-Thames, and both now stock my hats," she said.

Although working for a niche market, it is nevertheless a lucrative one, especially during the summer months when every lady wants the perfect hat to go with that special outfit.

Primarily made from organza a thin, plain weave, sheer fabric traditionally made from the continuous filament of silk yarns nylon and other simple textiles, Mrs Hughes' hats cost from about £300, and you are certainly guaranteed a unique head-piece.

She continued: "I work from home and have put my full energy into the business. It takes roughly about a week to make a hat, but I could do it in about two days if I had to!"

At 65, it is certainly very brave to launch a new career. And although it might through necessity, you can tell it is also something she really enjoys.

"It's a big challenge. Fortunately I am in very good health, and up for it. It's a new beginning and I am putting everything into it," she said.

And perhaps it was always meant to be that one day Wendy Hughes would turn her hand to hat-making her grandmother was a milliner too.

She added: "Shortly after I began it struck me it is certainly in the genes and she would be very proud."

Contact 01865 343125, or visit www.wendyhughesmillinery.co.uk