Clinical psychologist “Grandpa Maoyu” uses Instagram to share mental health advice alongside his enviable streetwear wardrobe
Catch him lighting up his 10,000 followers’ feeds with jazzy bucket hats, Stüssy T-shirts and A Bathing Ape sneakers while repping his favourite independent brands. Since joining Instagram in 2019, Grandpa Maoyu (@grandpamaoyu) has emerged as one of Hong Kong’s hottest style influencers—with a twist. Alongside #OOTD mirror selfies, the psychologist’s posts include education and advice aimed at young people, who are as likely to ask for the ID on his new threads as they are for advice on where to turn to when struggling to process events in the news.
Turning 67 this month, the grandfather of five, who prefers to be known only by his first name to protect his relationship with clients, was born in Amsterdam and lived all over Europe growing up. He has been based in Hong Kong since 2014, but was out of town with his family when he spoke to Tatler. He explains how he balances being both a cool grandfather and a psychologist who wants to ease the burdens upon young people.
How and when did you become interested in style?
When I am not with clients, I am in streetwear. Sometimes it is difficult to separate my home and work lives. So I always change into streetwear after sessions to remind myself I am just an average Joe now. I did not know people appreciated my style until I joined Instagram. It was my grandson’s idea; I still don’t know how to use all the functions on my iPhone. But I know how to edit photos and post on my feed.
I use Instagram to connect with people with my streetwear style, promote mental health and psycho-educate followers.