Some experiences remind us that creativity is not limited to what we design but also to how we make people feel. The India premiere of Odyssey of Love, an original musical by Kevin Oliver, an international choreographer and director, in Bengaluru, became one such moment — bringing together storytelling, music, performance, fashion, and visual experiences into a powerful artistic production. 

Inspired by Kalidasa’s Shakuntala, Odyssey of Love is reimagined as a contemporary pop opera, blending movement, emotion, and music into a visually rich narrative. The musical journeys through love, loss, and transformation, celebrating womanhood. Anchored in the pillars of Hope, Love, and Peace, it unfolds as an immersive, multi-sensory experience.

For students at JD Institute of Fashion Technology, experiences like these go beyond entertainment. They reflect how creative industries are evolving today, with fashion, performance, communication, styling, and storytelling all deeply connected. The talented student designers behind this creative collaboration include Chillale Sowmya, S.S. Harshitha, Samantha Fernandes, Priyanka G K, Shreya Mishra, Cheriffa Mable D’Souza, Angel Mariya Biju, Jewel Ann Joju, Ankitha Ragini Raju, Rishyanth S, Krishanth S, Parinitha, Pragna Moksha Shri.H, Himanshi Jain, Shraddha Sarda, Tanirika G S, Dhivya K, Grace Vanlalremruati Sailo, Trupti Kumar, Harini S.K, Ummu Kulthoom M, Dharsana S, Amrutha N H, Suvethaa Nagendiran, Priyanga Devi C, and Harismitha K S. Special shout out to Elysia Elvira Pereira, DANISH KURIAN O and Rehaan Dang for volunteering at the back stage. 

Under the guidance of Mr Kevin Oliver, this project instilled in the students at the JD Institute an encouragement to go beyond the boundaries of the academic curriculum and explore how creativity works in the real world. In this case, the various activities, including workshops, practicals, collaboration sessions, exhibitions, and exposure to industries, provide students with an opportunity to observe how an idea shapes a reality.

For the Odyssey of Love production, our students participated in the making of costumes by adding intricate macramé work on corsets, headgear, and more. The students had an opportunity to experience the effort, cooperation, and skills needed when handling such an activity. Moreover, our students had a chance to learn about how craftsmanship is incorporated in costume design.

This activity provided our students with an opportunity to realise that fashion in today’s world extends beyond the apparel itself.  A designer today is expected to think beyond a single discipline and understand how different creative elements come together to create emotional impact.

Another important factor of a good design education is exposure. Seeing how lighting affects moods, how costumes help develop stories and how shows or acts are styled can entirely change the perception and working style of the aspiring designer. At JD Institute, they view such experience as an indispensable element for helping students become confident, adaptive, and capable of creating.

Being based in Bengaluru is also an advantage since the city keeps developing as a place where art, design, fashion, music and culture intersect and inspire each other. Such a vibrant, creative environment enables students to stay up to date with current practices and trends in the industry.

Creative industries are gradually transforming from being solitary into experience-based and collaborative. There is a connection between fashion and performance; there is one between storytelling and visuals and design and human emotions. The Odyssey of Love event is a wonderful reminder of how creativity can bring people together.

For students at JD Institute, being part of such opportunities becomes more than just exposure — it becomes a step towards understanding the future of design itself.