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The decorated umbrellas carried by Â鶹ԭ´´ graduates have become one of the university's most recognizable traditions. Inspired by New Orleans second lines, each umbrella tells the story of a student's Â鶹ԭ´´ experience.

At Convocation, incoming students receive a plain white umbrella and are encouraged to personalize it throughout their time at Â鶹ԭ´´. By Commencement, those umbrellas have been transformed into colorful keepsakes celebrating memories, friendships, accomplishments and the unique journey of each graduate.

A Â鶹ԭ´´ Tradition

In New Orleans, second lines are joyful celebrations that bring people together through music, dancing and community. At Â鶹ԭ´´, that tradition comes to life during , when graduates join a spirited second line led by live jazz musicians and carry the umbrellas they have decorated over the course of their college experience.

Each umbrella is unique, reflecting the creativity and personality of the student who carries it. Whether simple or elaborate, every design becomes part of a tradition that celebrates both Â鶹ԭ´´ and the city of New Orleans.

— President Michael A. Fitts

Planning Your Design

Before you begin decorating, spend some time thinking about the story you want your umbrella to tell.

Some students choose a favorite color palette or theme, while others highlight clubs, organizations, study abroad experiences, Greek life, athletics, academic achievements or favorite memories from their time at Â鶹ԭ´´. Consider how color, texture, sparkle and movement work together to create a design that's uniquely yours.

It's also helpful to sketch out your ideas or make a simple plan before purchasing materials. Thinking about where trim, ribbon, glitter and other decorative elements will be used can help you estimate how much you'll need and create a more cohesive final design.

Supplies

Most umbrellas can be decorated using common craft supplies, including:

• Fabric, acrylic or spray paint
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Mod Podge
• Paint brushes
• Glitter
• Ribbon
• Fringe, feathers or decorative trim
• Rhinestones, sequins, patches, stickers or pins
• Other decorations that reflect your personality

Local New Orleans craft stores can be great places to find inspiration and unique materials for your umbrella. And in true New Orleans fashion, don’t let a good Mardi Gras throw or extra costume accessory go to waste. Giving old trims and knickknacks a new life in a different craft project is a time-honored tradition!

Decorating Tips

A few simple tips can help your umbrella look its best. Before getting started, be sure to protect your workspace and follow all safety instructions for paints, adhesives and tools.

Choose your base color

Changing the base color of your umbrella helps tie together your trim and decorative elements for a polished final design. Fabric paint, acrylic paint and spray paint each create a different look. Fabric paint offers the greatest flexibility and is the least likely to crack or flake over time. Acrylic paint is available in a wide variety of colors and finishes but may require additional coats to achieve even coverage, depending on the opacity of the paint. Spray paint—especially products formulated for fabric or plastic—can make it easier to achieve a smooth, even finish. If you plan to cover the entire umbrella with glitter, your base coat does not need to be perfect, but choosing a paint color that closely matches your glitter will help provide the best overall coverage.

Think about movement (and a little sparkle)

Fringe, ribbon and feathers create movement as you walk in the Commencement second line, while glitter, sequins and rhinestones catch the light and add unmistakable New Orleans flair.

If you're planning to use glitter, don't be intimidated—you don't have to be a glitter expert (or even glitterati!) to create a great result. For a project as large as an umbrella, working one panel at a time makes it easier to achieve even coverage and gives you a chance to perfect your technique as you go.

To make glittering a little easier:

• Protect your workspace with a drop cloth, tarp or even a sheet of parchment paper to help contain stray glitter.
• Mod Podge works well as an adhesive because it retains some flexibility after it dries.
• Use a large, stiff-bristled craft brush to apply an even layer of adhesive before sprinkling on the glitter.
• Hold a sheet of paper beneath your work to catch excess glitter so you can pour it back into the container and reuse it.
• Don't worry if one coat isn't enough. Large areas often need a second coat or a few touch-ups after the first layer has dried.

Â鶹ԭ´´ the Finishing Touches

Trim and decorative accents are what bring your umbrella design together. Contrasting trim can help unify your color palette, while tone-on-tone trim adds texture and dimension for a more subtle look. Whether you're adding ribbon, fringe, rhinestones, patches or other decorative elements, taking a little extra time during this step can make a big difference in the finished project.

Before you begin gluing, measure your trim to make sure you have enough to cover the area you want to decorate. Hot glue works well for attaching trim, rhinestones, patches and similar embellishments. Start by securing one anchor point, then continue gluing in small sections rather than trying to attach everything at once. And remember—gravity is your friend. Position the umbrella so gravity helps keep the trim aligned as you work for cleaner, more even results.

Safety Tips

• Work in a well-ventilated area when using paint or adhesives.
• Protect your workspace with paper, cardboard or a drop cloth.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for all paints, glues and tools.
• Allow decorations to dry completely before storing or transporting your umbrella.

Make It Your Own

There is no right or wrong way to decorate a Â鶹ԭ´´ second line umbrella. Some students create elegant designs in olive green and blue, while others fill their umbrellas with glitter, photographs, patches and keepsakes collected throughout their college years.

Whether your umbrella reflects your favorite campus memories, your hometown, your academic journey or your personal style, it becomes a lasting reminder of your Â鶹ԭ´´ experience—and a celebration you'll carry with you into Commencement.