Through the years, Filipino beauty queens have demonstrated how pageants can be a tool to champion local fashion. They proudly wear gowns and other pieces that celebrate the Filipino story on the international stage. That style fest starts with their departure look, and it usually gives us a glimpse of the fashions they’re about to showcase in their respective international competition.
This year’s bet at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant, Michelle Dee, is no stranger to highlighting fashions crafted by Filipino designers. For her departure look, the 28-year-old beauty donned a chic denim piece by designer Vin Orias. This is not the first time she wore a look courtesy of the designer. During her official send-off, the Filipina beauty also wore his strapless piece with a drop waist silhouette and pants with a pleated overlay.
The all-black looks were part of Vin’s spring-summer 2024 collection. Presented at the BYS Fashion Week last October, the collection centered on the designer’s "emotions: success, pain, joy, frustration, and failure.” It featured pieces with Solihiya weave pattern, textures, straight lines, tailoring, clean cuts, and pleats—which can be seen in Michelle’s recent looks.
“As a creativepreneur, I simply want to create and spark a connection with the global market targeting first the South East Asian region. Our brand has always been aiming for relatability in terms of design and aesthetic,” Vin said about the inspiration for his collection. “We, Filipino, creatives can make it global. Hopefully, they would see and feel that Orias is a global Filipino heritage brand.
According to Michelle, she packed over 72 looks for Miss Universe 2023. We can’t wait to see what she will wear next!
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