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| © Ding Guoliang aka Xiaoye Jiexi (Jesse) 小野杰西 :: FRUK Magazine |
At the beginning of this year, Chinese netizens went nearly crazy about this really old but incredibly charming chap. Following a lengthy photo session in the bustling streets of southern metropolis Xiamen (Fujian province) organized by his grandson, professional photographer Ding Guoliang aka Xiaoye Jesse, the pictures were posted online and went viral in a matter of days.
No wonder the distinguished 85-year-old gentleman, named Ding Bingcai, became one of the latest Chinese fashion icons and a widely adored web celebrity. The hilarious shots even made into China's mainstream online media, such as People's Daily Online or China Daily. The foreign media scene was not immune to the charms of the elderly heartthrob and stylish yet demure 'fashionista' either (for one example, see here).
Elaborately met in scene by his talented grandson Jesse, the man in question shows a grace and dignity that is extremely rare in this line of business. Expertly presenting borrowed designer suits, shoes, shirts, hats and all the other relevant accessories, the octogenarian had the time of his life, according to 30-year-old Ding Guoliang who always had an avid professional interest in fashion.
To use his grandpa as a willing novice model was definitely a brilliant idea and has brought the Xiamen-based young photo artist a lot of international acclaim that won't hurt his future business ventures.
To use his grandpa as a willing novice model was definitely a brilliant idea and has brought the Xiamen-based young photo artist a lot of international acclaim that won't hurt his future business ventures.
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| © Ding Guoliang aka Xiaoye Jiexi (Jesse) 小野杰西 :: ifeng.com |
The grand old man himself grew up in a small rural village on the outskirts of Shaowu city in Fujian province. Born in 1931, he started his adult life as a subsistence farmer growing rice and cutting bamboo. Ding later experienced all the hardships of the Great Leap Forward and the following famine that ravished whole districts, but survived and was finally able to marry his childhood sweetheart in 1961.
His five children now live in different Chinese cities, raising or having raised their own children and taking turns in looking after the retired farmer after his beloved wife passed away in 2014.
His five children now live in different Chinese cities, raising or having raised their own children and taking turns in looking after the retired farmer after his beloved wife passed away in 2014.
Looking at fascinating and really touching portraits such as the ones taken by a loving grandson of his intriguing, immaculately dressed elderly relative, a beautiful old soul that has seen it all and lived through some of the worst man-made nightmares imaginable without ever losing his dignity and kindness, gives a small glimmer of hope in these rather trying times. Wouldn't you agree?
(For more examples from the photo session in Xiamen, see here.)
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