Student organization Evolve hosted its first-ever Mr. and Mrs. Put It On, a fashion contest where ten participants were judged on how best they fit three categories.

Elchristma Deveaux, a first-year electrical engineering major from Nassau, Bahamas, won Mr. Put It On. Janarie Price, a first-year psychology major from New Orleans, won Miss Put It On. Dezarie Wise, a first-year psychology major from McGehee, Arkansas, won Crowd Favorite.

“Winning Mr. Put It On felt like I was on top of the world. As a freshman and as an international student, I feel that this was a great accomplishment,” Deveaux said. “I believe that it is the first step in paving the way for other international students to come out of their shells and try new and different things.”

Price said she was happy to win Miss Put It On.

“It feels like a dream come true, especially with all the hard work I put into the show,” Price said.

Wise said winning Crowd Favorite showed how much support she had, regardless of how nervous she was.  

Evolve president Kellie Dukes, a junior exercise science major from Marion, Arkansas, said Evolve wanted to host a big event every semester, which is where the idea for Mr. and Mrs. Put It On came from. The event was meant to be a way to promote the club, as well as show talent on campus.

“A lot of minorities don’t really have a space to be creative on campus and a lot of minorities show their creativity through their fashion,” Dukes said. “Being able to single that out and put it in fashion, it’s just an easy way to get everyone involved because everyone loves to put clothes on. Everyone loves to show what they have.”

The categories were streetwear, brunch and red carpet. Streetwear was meant to be casual while red carpet was formal. Brunch was a mix between the two. 

Students were judged based on their confidence, stage presence, originality and how closely they matched the theme of the categories.

Winners received a crown, a plaque and a $50 gift card. Dukes said Evolve plans to host another competition similar to Mr. and Mrs. Put It On next semester, although details have not been finalized. 

Evolve had been planning Mr. and Mrs. Put It On since August. Auditions and practices were held throughout the semester.

Contestant Jesslynn Hughes, a first-year nursing major from Southaven, Mississippi, said she enjoyed dressing up at the event because she could show the audience clothes she thought were fashionable. 

Alexander Veasey, a junior financial management major from Little Rock, said Mr. and Mrs. Put It On was not his first time competing.

“I love to model and do fashion shows. I’ve done a few at Dillard’s and when I was in high school I used to model as well,” Veasey said. “Being a part of another model gig was very exciting to me.”

When designing outfits, sophomore Eddie Lee Pirtle, a theatre major from Memphis, said he tried to pick things nobody would expect.

“When you’ve got good energy and you can turn the crowd up, you can make any fit, no matter the category, look good on you,” Pirtle said.

Evolve vice president Gabe Fortenberry, a junior interdisciplinary studies major from Olive Branch, Mississippi, said the organization served as a way to boost confidence in its participants.

“We weren’t expecting it to affect them in such a way because, from the beginning, some of them were shy. At the end once it was over, I was looking at completely different people,” Fortenberry said. “It’s just really heartwarming and be like ‘oh my gosh, we did this and we helped them come out of there.’”

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