Imagine 100 runway models, with an average age of 55, striding the runway in an opening show for the most prestigious fashion event in China. China Fashion Week, which opened Monday, takes the lead in praising the beauty of women of all ages.

Wearing beautiful makeup, designer dresses and some in 25cm high heels, these "grannies" impress the audience with their elegant and professional gait. It is really hard to believe the eldest among them is 72-years-old and the youngest, 48!

A team of 100 models, aged 48 to 72, wore 25-centimeter high heels to perform on the runway at the China Fashion Week in Beijing on Monday. [Photo by Zhou Lihua/chinadaily.com.cn]

Thirty members of this group come from Central China's Hubei province with a deep passion for modeling.

"I once saw the 78-year-old supermodel Han Bin walking for fashion weeks online. I feel deeply inspired, and hope that one day I can walk on the runway as well," Li Xun, a 62-year-old group member, said.

Li and several friends contacted Hu Sheguang, the designer for China Fashion Week's opening. And so this exciting experiment began.

A team of 100 models, aged 48 to 72, wore 25-centimeter high heels to perform on the runway at the China Fashion Week in Beijing on Monday. [Photo by Zhou Lihua/chinadaily.com.cn]

"Each one of us keeps on a diet before Chinese New Year," Li said. "We need to exercise a lot more, including yoga and jogging, to walk effortlessly on those heels."

"I'd like to introduce the beauty and energy of the Chinese elderly. This show will certainly change the stereotype of 'Chinese Granny'," Hu said.

The video is contributed by Zhou Lihua.