R’Bonney Gabriel champions eco-fashion, Filipino craftsmanship
R’Bonney Gabriel | Photo from rbonneynola/Instagram
Far beyond the confines of the pageant scene and actively promoting conscious design, former Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel is making sustainable fashion the centerpiece of her latest ventures in the Philippines.
The Filipino American beauty queen and designer is actively showcasing her handmade, small-batch creations through her brand “R’Bonney Nola Design,” featured on a separate Instagram account and presented in local fashion shows.
One of her latest standout pieces is a dress crafted from palm leaves – an ode to Philippine artisanal traditions.
View this post on Instagram
“I picked up this fabric from @tubigonraffiagallery last year in Bohol… it’s made from palm leaves – a natural fiber, hand dyed, and hand woven,” she shared in a post.
View this post on Instagram
“It takes hours just to make one roll. I love how the fabric was light but held its own shape. It was my first time working with this textile, but I have sooo many ideas for more designs now.”
The garment highlights Gabriel’s growing passion for slow fashion. Her hands-on approach emphasizes respect for both material and maker, championing local communities while introducing traditional weaves and fibers to a broader audience. Written on her fashion account bio, her pieces are “eco conscious,” have “sustainable materials” and are “good for mother earth.”
But her influence extends beyond fabric and fashion. Recently, the Fil-Am Miss Universe took the stage as a guest speaker in the Philippines through a platform hosted by Women as Peacebuilders (WASP) Asia.
View this post on Instagram
Reflecting on her personal and professional journey, she noted, “I’ve failed many more times than I’ve succeeded… but that’s okay. I’ve learned how to spin ‘failure’ around to be my biggest teacher and that mindset has carried me into the person I am today.”
The pageant queen-turned-creative visionary continues to use her voice and platform to inspire others and proves that setbacks are not dead ends but redirections toward deeper meaning and purpose.
