A fashion show presented by Dai Jinming, 61, together with his teammates became a highlight on gala performances held three days in a row for villagers in Enshi, Hubei province, this summer and received round of warm applauses from them.

"Good appearance and having fun is also important to the seniors," said Dai. His positive and inspiring vibe also rubs off on his offspring. "Now my grandson likes to find fine clothes for me when I go out," he added.

"I have nothing to do after retirement so I take the model thing as my job. People should be happy and I feel so when take fashion modeling class at the college," said Huang Heping, 62, another college student and a former sailor.

Besides being happy, some of them have also become healthier.

Li Kejian, 72, used to walk with a stoop and be low in spirit because of lumbar disease, before he started practicing model's walk in 2013. "Learning and practicing walking for five years has straightened up his body and cheered him up. I looked after him in the past but now he is able to take care of me," said Tao Yuheng, Li's wife.