80-Year-Old Model Proves Age Is Nothing by Rocking the Runway

The modeling industry has made strides to change the game. From the inclusion and acceptance of more plus-sized models, as well as a movement to stop retouching photos, these changes are slowly making the industry more universal. And there may be yet another new change on the horizon.

Wang Deshun, an artist and actor from China, has taken it upon himself to question why older models aren’t seen on fashion runways. Since when should age dictate your appeal? And at 80 years old, Deshun accomplished something groundbreaking: launching his own modeling career in a runway show at China Fashion Week last year.

The showcase was for the 2015/2016 Autumn/Winter collection for avant-garde designer Sheguang Hu, yet Wang, unlike his younger counterparts, was the one model showing some skin:

Deshun, who used to teach modeling as well as organized fashion shows in his youth, continues to defy Father Time, evidenced by his rigorous workout routine, and his philosophies on age and life.

“It’s about your state of mind. It’s not about age,” he told the New York Times. “Nature determines age, but you determine your state of mind.”

His inspiring resiliency is something we can all learn from.

Check out the full video recap of Wang Deshun’s runway show:

And watch this video called “Be the Fiercest,” one in which Deshun lays out his inspirational story:

https://youtu.be/HX4saxIfPYw