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Kendra Scott Is Taking a RushTok Favorite on Tour
The brand’s “Elisa” pendant is the star of a college pop-up tour after gaining popularity among potential new sorority members sharing their rush journeys on TikTok.
Kendra Scott kicked off its multi-campus pop-up tour by sharing an augmented reality video showing three oversized “Elisa” pendant necklaces hanging from a dormitory at the University of Texas at Austin.
Austin—With college sorority recruitment season in full swing, hopeful recruits are documenting their journeys on TikTok, a social media phenomenon that’s become known as “RushTok.”
For those unfamiliar with Greek life, the process of seeking to be part of a sorority or fraternity is known as “rushing.” At some colleges, it’s evolved into an ultra-competitive process in which thousands of young women bid for a spot in the sorority of their choice.
Potential new members have been sharing what the process is like via TikTok while also showcasing their OOTDs (outfit of the day) on the popular platform.
Jewelry brand Kendra Scott is an oft-mentioned name in these videos, with its “Elisa” pendant making frequent appearances.
Now, the Austin, Texas-based brand is capitalizing on its popularity among sororities and their Gen Z pledges, announcing the “Hey, Elisa! An Icon Goes on Tour” campaign.
To kick off the multi-campus tour, Kendra Scott shared an augmented reality video via Instagram and TikTok, showing three oversized Elisa pendant necklaces hanging from the Scottish Rite Dormitory at the University of Texas at Austin.
For those unfamiliar with Greek life, the process of seeking to be part of a sorority or fraternity is known as “rushing.” At some colleges, it’s evolved into an ultra-competitive process in which thousands of young women bid for a spot in the sorority of their choice.
Potential new members have been sharing what the process is like via TikTok while also showcasing their OOTDs (outfit of the day) on the popular platform.
Jewelry brand Kendra Scott is an oft-mentioned name in these videos, with its “Elisa” pendant making frequent appearances.
Now, the Austin, Texas-based brand is capitalizing on its popularity among sororities and their Gen Z pledges, announcing the “Hey, Elisa! An Icon Goes on Tour” campaign.
To kick off the multi-campus tour, Kendra Scott shared an augmented reality video via Instagram and TikTok, showing three oversized Elisa pendant necklaces hanging from the Scottish Rite Dormitory at the University of Texas at Austin.
The first stop on the tour will be at: the University of Texas in Austin today, followed by Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Aug. 24; the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Aug. 29; and the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia on Aug. 31; with two additional dates and locations to follow.
“Students and Kendra Scott fans alike should expect an immersive experience that brings the iconic silhouette to life,” said the company.
At the pop-up, guests will have ample interactive selfie opportunities, with props that include a custom-designed concave mirror in the shape of the Elisa silhouette and Elisa characters.
The brand also created a quiz for shoppers to find out which Elisa pendant best fits their personality.
The first 250 pop-up guests to complete the quiz will receive the pendant.
The now-iconic Elisa pendant first was launched as part of Kendra Scott’s 2014 spring collection.
Designed to be a scaled-down version of the brand’s “Danielle” and “Elle” styles, the petite pendant was a hit with customers, becoming the brand’s bestseller in 2015.
The brand estimated that one Elisa pendant is sold every minute. The popular pendant has been seen on celebrities like Taylor Swift, Simone Biles, and Lucy Hale.
There are more than 300 color options, said Kendra Scott, making the piece easily customizable, a draw for younger shoppers.
“The Gen Z consumer is Kendra Scott’s organic growth engine. This generation loves to wear our jewelry for self-expression and the ‘Elisa’ silhouette is one of their favorite ways to express themselves,” said Michelle Peterson, chief marketing officer at Kendra Scott.
“We are thrilled to deliver this iconic favorite in a fresh new way by popping up exactly where they are – on campus!”
As for other giveaways, the company consulted its “Gems,” its Gen Z collegiate ambassadors, about what should be included for guests in their swag bags, settling on reusable tote bags and straws, koozies and stickers.
The pop-ups will also offer free iced beverages from local coffee shops.
In addition, Kendra Scott will donate 250 pieces of jewelry to each campus’ professional closet to help outfit students preparing for interviews and jobs.
While rushing for a college sorority is not new, the phenomenon that has become “#RushTok” got its start in Alabama in the summer of 2021 as colleges began to reopen after lifting COVID-19 restrictions.
The University of Alabama was at the center of the social media sensation, with “#BamaRush” garnering more than 3.3 billion views on TikTok, according to the Los Angeles Times.
#RushTok generated around 1.5 billion.
The phenomenon also got the documentary treatment from HBO’s streaming service Max, which debuted “Bama Rush” earlier this year.
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