JD School of Design’s “Black Magic” and “The Mango Royals” runway sequence at Bengaluru’s Mango Showers event held at the Catholic Club was an evening specially crafted for fashion enthusiasts. It was a masterful melding of contradicting elements, ranging from the deep unknown of “Black Magic” to the sunny vitality of “The Mango Royals.”
The event was curated and choreographed to ensure it was not merely a fashion show but a story imagined through textiles, movement, and free expression. This was not a production; it was a cultural dig narrated in fabric, light, and silence. Amid a world where glamour tended to trounce substance, “Black Magic” spoke quietly but forcefully of itself through its sophisticated restraint and compelling narrative. The faculty, designers and stylists, makeup and hair artists, show choreographers, backstage crew, and technical & production teams enlivened a vision.
The Muse behind “Black Magic”
The “Black Magic” paid homage to the neglected allure of Mangalore and Goa’s eras, with sleek silhouettes draped in shadow and sensuality. From the initial step onto the catwalk, it was obvious that this collection was not created to dazzle—it was created to dig up the raw, untamed, and bold spirit in fashion and creativity. The models, attired in dark, monarchical colours, strutted beneath a stage bathed in rich purples and muted golds. The mood was of something between worlds: half-temple, half-tale, all deliberate. These were not clothes; they were artefacts—contemporary reinterpretations of Mangalorean and Goan heritage, reimagined by the eyes of student artists today.
The Features
The application of colour was particularly evocative. Deep oxblood, charcoal black spoke of ancestral memory. Silhouettes, formal and structured for the most part, implied both discipline and rebellion. High necks, layered fabrics, and decorative detailing spoke of a culture that prized power as well as poise. This was heritage couture—but free from nostalgia and re-forged with city grit. It was a daring combination of gothic and avant-garde boldness, stretching limits yet respecting heritage. Pleated saree skirts coupled with structured bustiers and shiny metallic jewellery created a dark sophistication, with sheer net materials and lingerie-like items adding edgy modernity. Androgyny in styling with heels and pasties defied conventions, combining primal sensuality with ageless draping art for a daring and enigmatic allure.
The Demonstration
What made the “Black Magic” sequence so great wasn’t just what lay on the surface. It was the emotions it evoked in people. The models didn’t strut; they carried out a form of ceremonial procession. Their faces were set in unspoken intensity. The soundscape that accompanied it—low-frequency pulses, minor-key traditional notes—contributed to the experience. It was creepy. It was stagey. And it was extremely effective.
The student crew demonstrated their spunk not just in fashioning but in visionary guidance. The segment’s idea was guided by student choreographer Siddharth, whose performance sense of spectacle raised the show. “Black Magic” did not merely speak of fashion as dress. It placed fashion as a medium, one that could heal historical forgetfulness and disrupt modern assumptions.
The risk taken here was enormous. It’s not simple to construct a fashion narrative around loss, enigma, and legend. But the students not only succeeded against that challenge—they exceeded it. They wouldn’t simplify. They wouldn’t sanitise history. Rather, they welcomed its darkness, its texture, and its complexity. That’s not common in academic presentations and practically unknown at public cultural events.
Siddharth Nair, who also produced the fashion styling for the show, coordinated and directed the runway flawlessly, bringing life and genuine energy to the stage. Models engaged with the crowd by dancing, smiling, and interacting. It didn’t sound fake. It appeared to be so.
Only the dedication and organisation of a few very special people could have made such a perfect occasion possible. Cheers to all of the JD designer volunteers, including Ms. Derrin, Mr. Nadeem, Ms. Nitika, and Ms. Shrishti Jaiwal. The difference was entirely due to their tireless efforts behind the scenes, which included organising, handling clothing, and ensuring things ran well.
We would especially want to thank Ms. Jane of the Catholic Club for helping us plan this wonderful event and for inspiring and supporting our young, creative designers. Your belief in their ability and inventiveness gave them the chance to achieve remarkable success.
“Black Magic” established the tone for the night, demonstrating how fashion can challenge, question, and redefine identity. It reminded viewers that cultural narratives do not have to be celebratory or nostalgic to be true. Occasionally, they need to be dark, uneasy, even disturbing—to be real. It refused to over-explain. It left things open for interpretation. It believed in the brainpower of its viewers. It was praised for its brave curation and beautiful fashions.
