These days, the best fashion moments go beyond the pages of a magazine or the red carpet. Even in pageantry, fashion plays an important role, not only in making a candidate look good but also to help them share their story, personality, and heritage. A testament to that is the latest edition of the Miss Universe pageant as women from around the globe pack the best pieces from their home country and present them on the international stage. The Philippines' representative, Michelle Dee, has been championing Filipino designs as she competes in the prestigious pageant, making numerous style moments out of her daily looks. From beach-ready 'fits to uber-chic dresses, here are some of our favorite looks she donned in El Salvador.
Denim reimagined
Michelle officially marked her Miss Universe 2023 journey with a custom denim pleated tailored dress by fashion designer Vin Orias. Taking things up a notch was her arrival look at El Salvador. The Filipino beauty queen sported a denim coord by fashion designer Renz Reyes. Her other denim moment took a playful turn thanks to fashion designers Kristine Ordinario and Chris Nick's creations.
Sunshine ready
Like a true tropical goddess, Michelle donned summer-ready ensembles as she explored the beauty of El Salvador. Among our favorites were Malcah's green Diana Wave ensemble, the purple floral look by Angela Taloza, and the iridescent 'fit courtesy of YSL, Ulysses Caragayan, Helenpiece, and Kataw.
Casual chic
During her time in El Salvador, Michelle proved that casual dressing shouldn't be boring. An example of this was the look she wore for a cultural tour, a dreamy coord by fashion designer Francis Libiran. Another stellar but understated ensemble was her Vin Orias and H&M combo for rehearsals.
Cocktail dress galore
Michelle definitely packed many cocktail dresses for her trip to El Salvador. And we cannot blame her as cocktail dresses guarantee a dainty look and allow anyone to easily jazz them up with statement accessories. Some of our top picks were the LBD by Ulysses Caragayan and Mark Bumgarner’s romantic pieces.
Modern evening gown
For many fashionistas, the evening gown competition is the best part of any pageant. For the preliminary competition, Michelle wore a stunning Swarovski crystal-encrusted emerald gown by Mark Bumgarner, which was inspired by her mother Melanie Marquez's winning look at Miss International 1979. During the coronation night, Michelle stunned everyone with her unique piece for the evening gown segment of the competition. Crafted by Filipino designer Mark Bumgarner, the gown paid homage to the legacy of 106-year-old indigenous tattoo artist Apo Whang-od from Kalinga. It featured intricate beadwork mimicking Filipino’s ancient tattoo design and a draped skirt.
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