Age is just a number for China's senior catwalk models

"Handsome young men, even with their good bodies, cannot convey maturity."

Liu only began modeling two months ago and does it as a hobby. The owner of two listed companies, he typically appears in adverts as a successful businessman.

"The market for senior models in China is not huge yet, but it is growing," says Michelle Chien, a modeling agent with ESEE Model Management, one of the city's largest agencies.

This echoes a trend now well established in Western markets, where brands have been keen to tap the pockets of the affluent older generation.

In the past five years, catwalks globally have seen greater age diversity and such models in their 60s and 70s as Jacky O'Shaughnessy, Jan de Villeneuve and Elon Musk's mother Maye Musk making names for themselves as fashion stars.

In her youth, Ma had hoped for a career in fashion design. She moved to Japan to study in the 1980s but did not graduate as she could not afford the fashion fees.

But she did not start modeling until getting her first gig two years ago, after sending her photo to a Shanghai fashion house.

Despite fashion brands embracing the gray hair and wrinkles that come with older models, Ma says it is still important to stay stylish and in shape.

She gets her hair done every three weeks, and stays fit with daily breathing exercises and regular workouts at the gym.

"Keeping in good health keeps me on the catwalk," she says. "There is no age limit in fashion. So, hopefully my dream can continue."