He took up photography as a hobby after retiring in 2009 and his wife joined a similar modeling team in Haidian district seven years ago.

"Walking the ramp is an effective exercise for my wife - she has become healthier in recent years," Yu said. "And, I like to be her photographer."

"Perfect match!" he added, laughing.

Yu has taken photos for other elderly people.

"The modeling activities provide us the chance to meet more people and make new friends," he said.

Hong Shutao, nearing 60, stood out in the crowd at the Chaoyang weekend contest due to his height of 180 centimeters and his orange shirt.

"Elderly women pay less to dress up, let alone an elderly man like me," Hong said, adding that although he was once a stylish young man, his approach to fashion changed over time.

Two years ago, his elder sister persuaded him to join a modeling team. Now he is one of its six male members.

"It has improved my taste in clothing and has given me a new state of mind, of course, a more positive one," Hong said.

Zhu Guifang, a retired teacher from Beihang University, was at the contest.

Her Beihang modeling team's clothes were made of recycled material - all by themselves. It took Zhu a week to make a dress, a necklace and a handbag from paper.

She said she used to make clothes when she was too poor to afford new ones earlier in her life. "Now I make clothes for fun."

The 83-year-old had to stand for more than five hours at the contest as sitting down might have damaged her dress.

"I feel a little tired but I am glad and excited to work with my teammates in such a group activity," Zhu said.

Chen Juanhong, 49, a famous Chinese model, was a judge for the finals.

She said she would encourage more elderly people to "show themselves off" onstage in the contest.

"It doesn't matter that the ramp is not a professional one and that the clothes are not fashionable enough. What really matters is the teamwork and positive attitude toward life," Chen said.