Puerto Rico's Michelle Marie Colón shows off national costume for 70th Miss Universe


Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2021 Michelle Marie Colón showed off her national costume for the 70th Miss Universe pageant on the "Viva la Tarde" program of Wapa TV.

The national costume called "Protectora de Nuestras Costas” not only pays tribute to the Puerto Rican Afro-descendants but also carries a message of awareness for the conservation of the environment.

Recycled materials such as plastic bottles, caps, and bags, some of the most common and harmful pollutants in the seas, were collected and transformed into art and music elements for this beautiful creation.

Inspired by Puerto Rico's first indigenous music "la bomba" the costume is a collaborative work of Dominican designers Leonel Lirio and plastic artist Luis Rivas.

“I wanted a dress that had color, movement, and that transmitted energy. I am extremely happy to be able to bring not only these elements to the universal stage but also to be able to represent the wealth of our Afro-descendants. The dress symbolizes the union and inclusion of the Caribbean culture, integrating into one piece," Michelle said.


Photos: Miss Universe Puerto Rico

Popular posts from this blog

Meet the winners of Miss Turkey 2025

Image
The glittering Miss Turkey 2025 national competition was held last December 19 at the Lazzoni Hotel in Istanbul. A total of 20 stunning finalists were chosen to compete for the national titles that were at stake — Miss Turkey World and Miss Turkey Supranational. Sıla Saraydemir, a 22-year-old student, was crowned Miss Turkey World 2025. She is expected to represent Turkey at the 73rd Miss World competition whose date and venue have yet to be announced. The new Miss Turkey World received her crown and sash from former titleholder, Miss Turkey World 1995 Demet Şener. Last year's winner Idil Bilgen was unable to attend the show and pass the crown to her successor because she is currently abroad for her studies. "Today I received not a crown, but a responsibility. Winning Miss Turkey is a shared story of women who believe in their dreams, aren't afraid to make their voices heard, and empower each other," Sıla shared online after the competition. "I thank everyone who...
Read more

Philippines wins second Miss Supranational crown

Image
The 17th Miss Supranational beauty pageant was held on Friday, July 31 at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheater in Nowy Sącz, Poland. Katrina Llegado, a 28-year-old financial management graduate from the Philippines, was crowned Miss Supranational 2026 by her predecessor Eduarda Braum of Brazil. She bested over 60 other contestants to win her country's second Miss Supranational crown after Miss Supranational 2013 Mutya Datul. Eve Gilles of France was named first runner-up while Lara Marina of Brazil, Ndah Eno of Nigeria, and Karolína Gorylová of the Czech Republic were announced the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The contestants from India, Avni Gupta, Indonesia, Agnes Rahajeng, Poland, Oliwia Mikulska, Spain, Nelly Mestre, Tanzania, Tracy Nabukeera, Venezuela, Silvia Maestre, and Vietnam, Quynh Mai Ngo made the Top 12. Completing the Top 24 were from Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Macau, Namibia, Thailand, Turkey, USA, and Zimbabwe....
Read more

Malta's Maxine Formosa Gruppetta to wear 'Maltese Lira' costume at 71st Miss Universe

Image
Miss Universe Malta 2022 Maxine Formosa Gruppetta will be wearing the national costume inspired by the Maltese lira at the 71st Miss Universe pageant. The Maltese lira was the official currency of Malta from 1972 until 2008 when it was officially replaced by the euro. Banknotes issued by the Government of Malta and then by the Central Bank of Malta were written in English up to 1972. From 1973 to 1985, they were written in Maltese on the obverse (with the currency identified as lira), and in English on the reverse (identifying the currency as pound). Maltese was used on both sides from 1986 to 2007. Maxine's national costume features a big back piece in the shape of a coin that depicts the Maltese coat of arms signifying the courage and determination of the country. The year 2000 on the coin symbolizes the year when she was born. Her dress is a collection piece from the world-renowned Maltese fashion designer duo Charles & Ron . It depicts the LM 10 banknote which has been digi...
Read more

Puerto Rico's Ivana Carolina Irizarry crowned Universal Woman 2025

Image
Ivana Carolina Irizarry, representing Puerto Rico, was crowned Universal Woman 2025 on Saturday, August 10 in Jaipur, India. The 30-year-old model, presenter and businesswoman made history as the first Puerto Rican woman to clinch the international title. She succeeds last year's winner Maria Gigante of the Philippines. Iris Miguélez of Spain was named first runner-up while Ismelys Velásquez of Venezuela, Katty López España of Ecuador, and Roci Pankov of Brazil were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Universal Woman is no stranger to pageantry. She took part in Miss International 2019, finishing in the Top 15, and also competed in Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2024, where she reached the Top 5. Ivana was also a contestant during the second season of "Super Chef Celebrities" which is the most anticipated cooking reality show on Puerto Rican television. This year's glittering competition marked the third edition of the annual Universal Woman pa...
Read more

Vanessa Pulgarin of Colombia crowned MGI All Stars 2026

Image
Vanessa Pulgarin from Colombia was proclaimed the winner MGI All Stars 2026 on Saturday, May 30 at MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. The 34-year-old model bested over 50 other contestants to win the first edition of the pageant. She is expected to return for the second edition to defend her title. Faith Maria Porter of Ghana and Nguyen Huong Giang of Vietnam were respectively named the first and second runners-up while Mariana Bečková of the Czech Republic and Gazini Ganados of the Philippines completed the Top 5. Beauties from Colombia, Priscilla Londoño; Dominican Republic, Yamilex Hernández; Peru, Suheyn Cipriani; Thailand, Tharina Botes; and Venezuela, Gabriela de la Cruz made the Top 10. The rest of the Top 18 were from China, Zewen Qin; Dominican Republic, Nicole Puello; Ecuador, Samantha Quenedit; Mongolia, Azzaya Tsogt-Ochir; Mexico, Francia Cortés; Myanmar, Thet San Andersen; Philippines, Fuschia Anne Ravena; and Venezuela. Isabella Santiago. A distinguished panel o...
Read more

Colombia's Yuri Rey crowned Miss Aura International 2024

Image
Yuri Rey from Colombia bested over 40 other contestants to win Miss Aura International 2024 on Friday, October 18 in Antalya, Turkey. The 29-year-old talented makeup artist and model was crowned by last year's winner Ketwalee "Ket" Phonbodi from Thailand. Isabelle De Los Santos of the Philippines was named first runner-up while Gizem Çelik of Türkiye, Yasmin Zaini of Malaysia, and Makeeba-Kaya Animpong of Ghana were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The Top 11 finalists were from Brazil (Jhenifer Santos), Indonesia (Olivia Stephanie), Romabia (Rafaela Farcas), Russia (Anna Semenovykh), Thailand (Kittiyapron Fungmee), and Venezuela (Maria Antoinetta Silva). Bashkortostan (Lyaisan Valieva), Cambodia (Senglyhour Keo), Czech Republic (Bara Sulanova), Dominican Republic (Floralba Caba), India (Svara Mandlik), Korea (June Koo), Nigeria (Joy Oranezi), South Africa (Bibi van Zyl), and USA (Mercia Stephens) rounded out the Top 20 semifinalists. No stranger to...
Read more

Miss Universe Thailand 2024: Meet the winners of the swimsuit competition

Image
The swimsuit competition of the Miss Universe Thailand 2024 pageant was held on Friday, June 28 at the Amari Hotel in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan. Forty contestants from various provinces of the country sizzled the runway in their blue swimsuits courtesy of the renowned Thai brand, Sealect. A total of five special awards were at stake and here are the lucky winners: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sealect (@sealectbrand) Best Body  - MUT17 (Phuket, Surisa Suzana Renaud) Confident Award - MUT17 (Phuket, Surisa Suzana Renaud) Hua Hin's Favorite - MUT35 (Prachuap Khiri Khan, Jennifer Gallemaert) Model Award - MUT27 (Uttaradit, Harissapuch Khunpluem) Charming Award - MUT32 (Mae Hong Son, Lalana Siribunyakul) This year's preliminary competition will be held on July 12 and the final is on July 14. The next Miss Universe Thailand will compete in Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico. Photos: Miss Universe Thailand, Sealect / Instagra...
Read more

Miss Universe DR Congo 2024 is Ilda Amani

Image
Ilda Amani edged out 19 other competitors to be crowned Miss Universe DR Congo 2024 on Thursday, August 29 at the Pullman Grand Hotel in Kinshasa. The 26-year-old model from Bukavu will represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Aurelie Mbaay Mwadi was named first runner-up while Océane Ambapeto Mpundu, Dalal Hoballah, and Eunice Yaosiya Favour were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Situated in Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo last competed under its former name Zaire at Miss Universe in 1986. Its representative Aimée Likobe Dobala made the Top 10. The new Miss Universe DR Congo is a finance and accounting graduate of Multitech Business School. She is an advocate for women empowerment and menstrual health. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe République Démocratique du Congo (@missuniverseco...
Read more

Meet the winners of Miss Bolivia 2025

Image
The Miss Bolivia 2025 final competition was held on Saturday, June 28 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. A total 28 contestants competed for the national titles that were at stake. Four stunning women have been crowned and they will represent Bolivia at the next Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Grand International, and Reina Hispanoamericana pageants. Here are the winners: Miss Bolivia 2025 / Miss Universe Bolivia 2025 - Yessica Hausermann (for Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November) Miss World Bolivia 2025 - Vanessa Kraljevic (for the 73rd Miss World) Miss Grand Bolivia 2025 - Alexandra Rocha (for Miss Grand International 2025 in Thailand this October) Miss Bolivia Hispanoamericana 2025 -  Camila Navarrete (for Reina Hispanoamericana 2026) Miss Bolivia 2024 Juliana Barrientos Gaidrikh crowned her successor at the end of the event. She made the Top 12 at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico and was named one of the gold winners of the Voice for Change competition. Ro...
Read more

Miss Universe Canada 2025 is Jaime VandenBerg

Image
Jaime VandenBerg was announced the winner of Miss Universe Canada 2025 on Saturday, August 9 at the Chrysler Theatre in Windsor, Ontario. The 28-year-old international model and actress from Lethbridge, Alberta will represent Canada at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Karmen Brar was named first runner-up while Jabili Kandula, Malayika Kwizera, and Kamuahao Hei weret the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Canada was crowned by her predecessor Ashley Callingbull who made the Top 12 at Miss Universe 2024 held last November in Mexico. Jamie is no stranger to pageantry, having joined the 71st Miss World competition last year in Mumbai, India and made the Top 40 among 112 contestants. She holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the the University of Lethbridge. Her commitment to philanthropy led to her recognition with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and the International Diana Award. Road to...
Read more