Michelle Dee on Her Runway Moment at the Michael Cinco Show in Paris

The actress and beauty queen trades the pageant stage for the runway as she opens the Michael Cinco show during Paris Fashion Week.

Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection was unveiled at the Westin Paris-Vendôme during Paris Fashion Week. The show featured rich brocade fabrics, intricate embellishments, and silhouettes that blended classical influences like the terno (a traditional Filipino matching set of garments) with contemporary couture. For this collection, Cinco also used innovative techniques such as laser-cutting wool and adapting architectural elements. Among those who walked the show were The Real Housewives of Dubai personality Chanel Ayan, Hayden Kho, and Pia Wurtzbach, who closed the show.

Sporting a new edgy blonde bob, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee opened the show in a white beaded jacket paired with a feathered skirt. In an exclusive interview with Vogue Philippines, the model-actress shares all about her experience at the show.

Vogue Philippines: With so many eyes on you at Paris Fashion Week, what’s the key to staying confident and composed on the runway? 

Michelle Marquez Dee: Trust me when I say that if you asked me to go on stage with zero rehearsals and a 30-second briefing similar to what happened at the Cinco show, I would have a mini-heart attack. But thankfully, being on the runway at this moment of my life feels like home, and I just have to trust in myself and believe in my capabilities. “Experience” will always be one of my biggest keys to success, and it’s almost impossible to get around it. As they say, trust the process. 

As the opening model, you set the tone for Michael Cinco’s show. How did you approach this moment, and what story did you want to tell through your walk and presence on the runway?

As a muse, you have to realize that you’re an extension of your designers’ creation. Your priority should always be towards the emotion that the whole collection is trying to convey. Michael Cinco is a household brand and my goal was to ensure that the piece I was wearing came to life. It was my first time to walk for Cinco and having Pia [Wurtzbach] close the show undoubtedly added pressure too, but I’m glad I work the best under pressure. Ultimately I just wanted to make sure I made Michael happy as well. 

You’ve previously made your mark in pageantry, representing Filipino talent on a global stage. How did opening Michael Cinco’s show reflect your pride in showcasing Filipino artistry at Paris Fashion Week?

I’ve always been a strong advocate for Filipino designers, which is why if you’ve noticed, in my initial debut posts, I made it a point to spotlight them. Bringing that representation to a global stage like Paris Fashion Week and even for Michael Cinco is something I deeply value. Just as I did in El Salvador, any opportunity to showcase the talent we have back home is always a priority for me. While it’s an honor to wear pieces from established international fashion houses as well, using my platform to promote our Filipino designers feels like a meaningful step toward elevating Filipino craftsmanship on the world stage.

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