University of Otago graduand Elena Berg in her graduation
regalia yesterday. Photo supplied.
Elena Berg appears to have brushed up on clothing
etiquette when it comes to dressing for University of Otago
graduations.
The 25-year-old walked across the Regent Theatre stage
yesterday where she graduated with a BA and DipGrad (endorsed
in music) wearing nothing but body paint, her mortar board, a
graduation gown and a smile.
Miss Berg said she had been wanting to wear body paint at a
public function since she saw the Air New Zealand
advertisements in which the airline's staff wear nothing but
a painted-on uniform.
The singer-songwriter in the Dunedin band Girl on Girl Action
(GOGA) plans to shoot a music video for the band, also
wearing body paint.
''We thought it would be a really good tester to see how many
people noticed.
''It was about testing people's perceptions - trying to get
them to open their eyes a bit.''
Surprisingly, she said few people noticed her attire - or
lack of it.
''Not as many people noticed as you would think. Most of
those who did notice, noticed my feet first.
''No-one said a thing at the graduation. Even my Mum said you
wouldn't notice if you didn't look hard enough.''
She was comfortable in her outfit, until the paint started to
flake off following the graduation.
''I was going `oh no', because I wanted it to be something
that wasn't vulgar.
''So when it started to flake off, I decided it was time to
pull the plug.
''I wanted to keep it PG rated.''
It was certainly a graduation to remember, she said.
- john.lewis@odt.co.nz
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.