Ding Bingcai, a 85-year-old grandpa, who's tended rice paddies all his life, has become an unlikely style icon in China.
Ding Bingcai, a 85-year-old grandpa, who's tended rice paddies all his life, has become an unlikely style icon in China.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
A photo series of Ding, nattily dressed and striking elegant poses, taken by his fashion photographer grandson recently went viral Chinese social media.
A photo series of Ding, nattily dressed and striking elegant poses, taken by his fashion photographer grandson recently went viral Chinese social media.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
Ding has drawn comparisons to Nick Wooster, the fifty something New York street-style star.
Ding has drawn comparisons to Nick Wooster, the fifty something New York street-style star.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
His grandson, Ding Guoliang, who prefers to be called Jesse, told CNN the photos were both a tribute to his grandpa, and a way to raise awareness about caring for the elderly.
His grandson, Ding Guoliang, who prefers to be called Jesse, told CNN the photos were both a tribute to his grandpa, and a way to raise awareness about caring for the elderly.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
In some of the photos, the two wore the same outfits and adopted the same posture in the same location.
In some of the photos, the two wore the same outfits and adopted the same posture in the same location.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
This was the first time Bingcai had ever worn a suit. Jesse hoped his granddad could "travel through time" to experience modern life.<br />
This was the first time Bingcai had ever worn a suit. Jesse hoped his granddad could "travel through time" to experience modern life.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
Bingcai told CNN he liked wearing the classy outfits and the novel experience of being treated like a style icon.
Bingcai told CNN he liked wearing the classy outfits and the novel experience of being treated like a style icon.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
Jessie says his grandpa is a great role model. "He has a wonderful presence...what I love most was his smile; it melts my heart."
Jessie says his grandpa is a great role model. "He has a wonderful presence...what I love most was his smile; it melts my heart."
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
Bingcai grew up in the countryside of southeastern China's Fujian province in the 1930s and 1940s. His life-long dream was to visit Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
Bingcai grew up in the countryside of southeastern China's Fujian province in the 1930s and 1940s. His life-long dream was to visit Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
And it's was a dream he was able to realize earlier this month when Jesse took his grandfather on his first trip to the Chinese capital.
And it's was a dream he was able to realize earlier this month when Jesse took his grandfather on his first trip to the Chinese capital.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
Now 30, Jesse grew up with his grandpa in the countryside until he was 10.
Now 30, Jesse grew up with his grandpa in the countryside until he was 10.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
"When I was a kid, he would keep all the delicious food for me -- eggs, apples, candy... and he loved telling stories about himself as a young boy," Jesse told CNN.
"When I was a kid, he would keep all the delicious food for me -- eggs, apples, candy... and he loved telling stories about himself as a young boy," Jesse told CNN.
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse
Bingcai, a father of five and grandfather of 10, has started forgetting things, but is content with his current life. When CNN spoke to him, he kept saying "life is good."
Bingcai, a father of five and grandfather of 10, has started forgetting things, but is content with his current life. When CNN spoke to him, he kept saying "life is good."
Courtesy Xiaoye Jesse