A Night of Blossoms: Celebrating Ageless Beauty in Nanjing

On May 30th, the much-anticipated Blossom Show took place in Nanjing, promising to be an extraordinary event. Two hundred women, all proudly embracing their age, donned intricate silver headpieces and held transparent umbrellas as they walked down a retro-style runway set in a Republic-era street.

Among these women were those in their 50s, who described themselves as entering the “second spring” of their lives, and others in their 80s, who expressed a desire to shine one more time despite their age. The participants ranged from seasoned members of the fashion grandmother group, making their second or third appearance on the runway, to newcomers experiencing the spotlight for the first time.

Most of these women were not trained models and had little experience in walking the runway. Nevertheless, they embraced the opportunity to feel the confidence and joy that the stage offered, soaking up the applause and the ambiance of the show. This was their night to shine.

The show took place on a rainy day at the Jiangsu Broadcasting and Television Shitoujia Film Base, a location famous for hosting various TV shows and films, including Zhang Yimou’s “The Flowers of War” and Jiangsu Satellite TV’s “One Stop Until the End” and “If You Are the One.” The outdoor Republic-era street set, spanning 13,000 square meters, was meticulously prepared for the event. However, the persistent rain raised concerns about the safety and feasibility of the show.

Despite the rain soaking the stage equipment and the runway carpet, the uncertainty of the situation revealed a unique opportunity. The participants, undeterred by the weather, carried on with the show. The sight of 200 transparent umbrellas against the backdrop of the historic street created a scene of unexpected romance and resilience. As long as they walked with confidence and calm, the rain became a beautiful part of the experience.

The participants wore stunning outfits designed by Gu A Xin, a well-known national brand that has been featured on CCTV and at Milan Fashion Week, with a following of over 3 million fans online. The brand is dedicated to telling Chinese stories through traditional craftsmanship. The women, in turn, brought these stories to life, showcasing not only the beauty of traditional culture but also their personal journeys shaped by time.

This event was another milestone for the fashion grandmother group, following successful shows in Wuhan, Shanghai Disney, Yixing, and Honghe, Yunnan. Each show represents a significant effort and emotional investment. So why does the fashion grandmother group continue to organize these shows?

A touching story illustrates the motivation behind these events. A mother-daughter duo participated in the Honghe show, with the mother encouraging her daughter to join. For the Nanjing show, the daughter chose to attend alone, saying that she wanted to fully enjoy the experience for herself this time. This desire for a bit of “selfish” time is something the fashion grandmother group hopes to encourage among the participants.

After dedicating much of their lives to others, these women deserve a stage to enjoy time for themselves. The term “selfish” here is not negative; it represents self-love and freedom after years of self-sacrifice. The fashion grandmother group aims to provide a platform where women can truly showcase themselves, regardless of appearance, height, or weight, and without the need for modeling experience.

Even if an 80-year-old’s steps are not as steady, her unafraid spirit shines through, embodying the essence of the event. The fashion grandmother group is not about creating internet celebrities or models but about bridging the gap between middle-aged and older women and fashion.

Three years ago, the group set out with the mission of being the “ferryman” between these women and fashion. Now, their vision is coming to fruition as they see participants express their desire to age beautifully, pursue personal happiness, and embrace the right to beauty at any age.

As the lights came on and the runway glowed, each woman became the star of her own story, just as she is in her life. This night of blossoms in Nanjing was a celebration of ageless beauty and the power of self-expression.

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