On February 7th, the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 was held, marking the beginning of another international comprehensive winter sports event held by China following the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. The costume for medal ceremony themed “Crystal Blue in Fantasy,” as well as various formal wear for officials of the Olympic Council of Asia and technical officials of the games, were designed by Donghua University in collaboration with China Eastern Airlines.
（The costume for medal ceremony themed “ Crystal Blue in Fantasy”）
How can icy Harbin and fashionable Shanghai interact to spark something new? The costume for medal ceremony, which is developed by DHU's Asian Winter Games clothing design and production team, draws inspiration from the breathtaking ice and snow landscapes of Harbin and the essence of traditional Chinese culture.
In terms of tailoring, the design draws on the sleek lines and stereo cutting techniques of traditional Chinese clothing. For hair accessories, the design incorporates some elements of “buyao” (a traditional Chinese hair ornament that sways with movement) and creates a blue snowflake hairpin that gently sways with the wearer's steps. This not only showcases the grace of women but also subtly conveys the determination and strength in an athlete's strides.
It's worth mentioning that snowflake-shaped buttons are used on the front placket and cuffs of the costume, mimicking the delicate appearance of snowflakes and aligning with the environment and characteristics of the Asian Winter Games. Blue symbolizes purity, nobility, trust and reliability, represents the sky, ocean, and glaciers, and expresses the enduring nature of friendship and belief, which is closely connected to the spirit of sports.
（The faculty and students from College of Fashion and Design discussed structural details）
With 396 meticulously crafted seams, over 40 design iterations, and the application of multiple innovative technological fabrics, DHU's design collaboration with China Eastern Airlines not only inherits the ancient charm of Chinese clothing culture but also integrates numerous cutting-edge technologies to ensure exceptional quality. From wool formal wear that combines warmth and breathability to high-performance cold-protection clothing that offers windproof, waterproof, and down-proof protection, culture, fashion, and technology converge seamlessly in these garments. Every detail embodies the innovative breakthroughs and humanistic care enabled by technology, demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary transformation and upgrading, as well as the novelty in the development of new design paradigms.
