Flonique Guimary

Former Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel creates a dress from palm leaves

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>Former Miss Universe R&#x27;Bonney Gabriel showcased her creativity and advocacy for sustainable fashion by designing a dress made from palm leaves.</p><p>In a recent Instagram post, the Filipino-American beauty queen and fashion designer shared the story behind the unique piece. &quot;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,&quot; she shared. </p><p>R&#x27;Bonney expressed admiration for the craftsmanship behind the fabric, highlighting the time-intensive process involved. &quot;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 🙂,&quot; she said.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-25" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJoqLI6J0th/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A25%2C%22os%22%3A89792018.2%2C%22ls%22%3A209660.59999999404%2C%22le%22%3A210727.29999999702%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1095" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-25" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Fans online were quick to react to her creation.</p><p>&quot;You are so talented!!! Keep doing the amazing work. Your brand will one day be a household name,&quot; one fan commented.</p><p>&quot;My 5-year-old daughter follows you — we love your designs! Next month, she’ll be taking her first sewing class. Thank you for sharing your wonderful art,&quot; another fan wrote.</p><p>In August last year, R&#x27;Bonney launched her first collection in the Philippines called &quot;How to Survive on Land and Sea&quot; during the Bench Fashion Week.</p><p>&quot;When [Ben Chan] offered me this opportunity, I had to say yes. Even though I’ve only been in the Philippines for a few months and didn’t know where to begin, I knew I needed to take this challenge on to find where to source materials, produce, manufacture, etc… and do it in a sustainable way,&quot; she remarked in an Instagram post last year. </p><p>&quot;Navigating these past 2.5 months has tough, inspiring, and rewarding to make this vision come to life.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/15/r-bonney-gabriel-shares-behind-the-scenes-look-of-her-palengke-photoshoot-1716" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>R’Bonney Gabriel shares behind-the-scenes look of her palengke photoshoot</strong></a></div><p>In a previous interview with ABS-CBN News, R&#x27;Bonney shared the process that went into making the collection.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m mixing swimwear elements and beachwear together, kind of balancing the two contrasting elements,&quot; R&#x27;Bonney relayed. &quot;I got my shells from Siargao. Some of them are from Bench or the ukay-ukay, and I upcycled them. It&#x27;s all really sourced here in the Philippines since I&#x27;m here now.&quot;</p>