“Behold, Sergeant Michelle Marquez Dee”
Just a day after Philippine bet Michelle Dee rocked the Miss Universe preliminaries, the 28-year-old delegate has once again brought in Filipino pride with her airplane ensemble for the national costume competition.
On Friday, November 17, Michelle and other Miss Universe contestants strutted on the stage wearing their countries symbols and insignia—a yearly tradition of Miss Universe to showcase each country’s pride.
For this segment, Michelle proudly wears a winged costume that resembles so much like an airplane—a creation made by Michael Barassi.
IMAGE: rapyuphotos on Instagram
In a teaser video released by Michelle on Instagram, she says that the ensemble was woven in a “solihiya” pattern, which was heavily used in the tropics of the Philippines.Such a hug to Michelle’s silhouette aims to unfold the stories behind the “island’s unity and artistry.”
At the back, the official country’s slogan, Love the Philippines, is displayed together with a colorful mural of the country’s most breathtaking landmarks.
Ultimately, Michelle is “crowned with a captain’s hat” that serves as a proud relic of her duty as an Air Force reservist. Very much so, it holds an iconic symbolism to the “boundless adventures awaiting in the skies.”
IMAGE: rapyuphotos on Instagram
All in all, the interweaving designs, materials, and patterns used for this number are deemed by Michelle as true representations of the Philippines—”resilient, radiant, and ready to embrace the Universe.”
Netizens, celebrities react to Michelle Dee’s national costume
Filipinos have rendered their all-out support for Michelle, as they flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to air some words of admiration over the unique national costume.
Even celebrities and other beauty queens cannot help but offer Michelle words of encouragement as she vies for the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.
If Michelle wins the pageant, she will follow Catriona Gray who won the pageant in 2018. Other winners were Pia Wurtzbach in 2015, Margie Moran in 1973, and Gloria Diaz in 1969.
READ ALSO: Who Is Michelle Dee Beyond The Miss Universe Crown?
Banner Art Paulo Correa
