Arina Sheludko recently won the gold prize at the 2025 Donghua-WaterFun Life Jacket Design Competition with her smart fishing life jacket series. Her design impressed judges by combining cross-disciplinary thinking with aquatic safety aesthetics.

Though not a fashion design major, Sheludko's passion for art and creativity led her to explore this new field. She regularly visited the lab of College of Fashion and Design, where professors Mao Dan and Wang Hui guided her in understanding the functional needs of fishing life jackets and their movement compatibility.

After the competition, Sheludko shared her excitement: "Winning is an incredible honor and a thrilling experience. It was my first time at such an event, and it still feels unreal. This victory motivates me to keep pushing design boundaries."

Reflecting on her creative journey, Sheludko noted the challenges and rewards of venturing outside her major. "Fashion design was new to me, but it was fascinating to learn and gain insights. I have great respect for those dedicated to this craft."

Her time at Donghua University has been transformative. "I've learned about adaptability and cross-cultural collaboration here. Donghua feels like a second home, offering support and friendships that helped me through life abroad. I'm grateful to the teachers for their support. This experience has shaped me as a designer."

Source: Official WeChat account of Donghua University International Students Office at "DHU-ISO"