Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 19) – Philippines’ Michelle Dee has once again showed her signature “Snake Walk” as she paraded her tattoo-inspired evening gown, a tribute to oldest tattoo artist Apo Whang-Od, during the semi-finals of the 72nd Miss Universe.
“A tribute to a legendary Filipina who has become an icon, preserving the rich cultural heritage of indigenous tattoo art,” Dee said in an Instagram post.
“She has achieved global recognition and symbolizes timeless beauty, coinciding with Miss Universe lifting its age restrictions, championing inclusivity and challenging age stereotypes,” she added.
Apo Whang-Od is the last mambabatok of her generation. The 106 year-old tattoo artist inks Kalinga symbols on the skin with a hand-tapping technique using thorns and bamboo sticks.
Dee’s long black bedazzled dress with patterns is the creation of Mark Bumgarner, the fashion designer behind Dee’s green evening gown that she wore during the Miss Universe preliminary round.
Bumgarner also penned a heartfelt message, saying that the gown was made with love and pride for the country’s Miss Universe candidate and the Philippines.
In another Instagram post, Bumgarner said he wanted to make Dee look “powerful, like a warrior,” as the beading on her dress was made to look like the design was tattooed on her.
“The message [of the gown] resonated with her (Apo Whang-Od): a legendary Filipina whose art symbolizes bravery, beauty, and identity, and who has become a symbol of timeless beauty,” Bumgarner said.
He added that Dee’s gown is timely — as the Miss Universe Organization lifted the age restriction in its pageants next year.
READ: Miss Universe Organization removes all age limits for 2024 pageants
