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Michelle Dee. (Images: Instagram/@michelledee)
It’s no surprise that Michelle Dee has a captivating style even before she was crowned in her home country. But it was the Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador that became a playground for her to display her eye for fashion in her daily activities.
From city girl chic, eye-catching beach babe, to sophisticated lady, Dee strayed from the usual pageant patty dresses to take on edgier yet elegant outfits. She even revealed during her departure that she brought 72 outfits, put together with the help of fashion stylist Ryuji Shiomitsu and his team, for the global tilt.
Aside from her preliminary looks, let us look back at some of the most fashion-forward ensembles Dee wore in her Miss Universe journey.
Closed-door interview
Dee was a Barbie doll personified in a hot pink Mark Bumgarner blazer dress for her closed-door interview. Large pink ribbons, which were sewn on the skirt, stood as the pièce de résistance as it gave the ensemble a glamorous boost without being too over the top. The look was paired with black strappy heels by Jojo Bragais and a black bag.
Confident with her ‘long-legged’
In true Melanie Marquez à la “I’m confident with my long-legged” fashion, Michelle Dee showed off her statuesque legs in a black-and-white Rubin Singer one-piece swimsuit and matching wide-leg pants. The surf-ready ensemble follows a zebra-like pattern while the asymmetrical neckline compliments the outfit’s busy pattern.
Touching down in denim
In contrast to frilly dresses or gemstone-encrusted ensembles, Dee welcomed El Salvador in a utilitarian denim co-ord set by Renz Reyes. The ensemble was paired with her short hair in curls, and a handbag and high-heeled ankle boots by Yves Saint Laurent.
The edgy look is a breath of fresh air from the usual pageant patty looks by past candidates as it sets the stage for the crossover stunner to showcase her personality through fashion.
Snake queen
Paying tribute to her signature snake-like image, Dee was the embodiment of a sassy serpentine in a Jaz Cerezo snake-print pantsuit paired with strappy black heels. The matching suit was made extra alluring with a low neckline and its ribbon-like detail — which added an element of femininity to the ensemble.
Upgraded basics
Dee’s leather blazer during rehearsal is proof that an oversized blazer is a must in anyone’s wardrobe. It transforms an everyday outfit into an upgraded ensemble — which adds a needed oomph to the beauty queen’s sports bra, leggings, and comfy trainers.
A touch of Audrey Hepburn
Despite having a full schedule, Dee still looked as sophisticated as ever in her black Ulysses Caragayan mini dress which appeared to be a modern twist to Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in the hit film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
What makes the ensemble true to her personality are the little embellishments such as the boat neckline and the structured leather mini bag from Eva Innocenti.
Beachy glam
Dee made waves — literally and figuratively — in a striking two-piece purple dress by Angela Taloza when she went exploring with her fellow candidates. The ensemble showed off the beauty queen in a hubadera-like fashion with its wave-like pattern, a bra top with a halter neckline extending to the skirt, and a high slit up to the lower abdomen.
Flower power
Flowers are one of the popular trends of the season, and Dee took advantage of it, but in a very sophisticated powder blue mini dress with blown-up floral details which were handsewn by none other than Mark Bumgarner.
The dress, which comes from the designer’s Spring Summer 2024 collection, was put together with a black ribbon tied around her waist and a mini leather clutch.
Netted glamour
In what seemed to be a downtime from her busy schedule, Dee enjoyed another beach trip in an edgy ensemble composed of a light blue bikini by Helen Piece and a net-like cover-up by Ulysses Caragayan.
Effortless sophistication
Dee was the belle of the Miss Universe gala dinner in an all-black two-piece couture gown by Abdul Gaffar. The structured gown, with its turtleneck collar and cape-like top, was put together with Christopher Munar earrings and a leather mini clutch by Mark Bumgarner.
Wearing black in a pageant-related event — especially when glamorous and queen-like looks take center stage — is a fashionable risk but the crossover beauty queen pulled it off with such ease that she emerged as one of the standouts.