Michelle Dee and Anna Lakrini. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe Philippines, Binibining Pilipinas
MANILA, Philippines—Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Marquez Dee and Binibining Pilipinas Globe Anna Valencia Lakrini arrived in style in their respective airport appearances flaunting fashionable pieces from Filipino designers.
Dee, who is competing in the 2023 Miss Universe pageant, opted for a denim ensemble as she set foot in El Salvador where the global tilt’s 72nd edition is taking place. Filipino designer Renz Reyes created the pieces, a mid-length skirt and an architectural top that showed a hint of her mid-section.
Stylist Ryuji Shiomitsu threw in some luxury pieces from established global labels to complete the look—accessories from Tiffany and Co., black high-heeled boots from Yves Saint Laurent, and a black cabin-size trolley from Fendi.
The model-actress-host and pageant veteran is on a quest to score the Philippines’s fifth Miss Universe victory, after Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).
Lakrini, meanwhile, was striking in her black-and-white Edward James Castro outfit when she arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, for her flight to Albania where the 2023 The Miss Globe pageant will be held.
The designer styled the German-Filipino model, tutor and nutrition graduate from Bataan for her departure, where she showed off some skin through the cutouts in the midriff and decolletage. Castro threw in a pair of white platform boots from Charles and Keith to complete the look.
“Let’s conquer the Globe!” Lakrini posted on social media. “Everything fits into my luggage and I can’t believe that I’m actually here at the airport. Can’t wait to see everyone in Albania,” she added.
Lakrini will try to give the Philippines its third victory in the current iteration of The Miss Globe pageant, under the Tirana-based Deliart Association established in 1995. Bb. Pilipinas queens Anna Lorraine Colis and Maureen Montagne captured the crown in 2015 and 2022, respectively.
The Miss Globe pageant will hold its 2023 coronation show on Nov. 17 (Nov. 18 in Manila), while the 2023 Miss Universe finals will be held on Nov. 18 (Nov. 19 in Manila). Both competitions have started their online voting where netizens can help propel both Dee and Lakrini to the semifinals of their respective contests.