About 10 years ago, graduands abandoned the traditional black gowns favoured by most tertiary institutions in favour of blue.
And the soft berets worn previously were discarded, replaced by a blue version of the traditional trencher or mortarboard.
The polytechnic called on its own students to revamp its academic regalia and third-year diploma in fashion and design students Richard Moore, Carmen Shrimpton and Rebecca Vorrath obliged.
Taking a Scottish-style bachelor's gown as inspiration, they adapted it to Otago's colours - blue with a gold trim - which are the same colours used on the polytechnic's shield.
The tradition of hoods with different coloured linings continued, but detachable wide satin gown facings were added to differentiate students receiving bachelors or masters degrees from those graduating with certificates and diplomas.
