One Thing About R'Bonney Gabriel (Miss Universe 2022, Miss USA 2022, and Miss Texas 2022) that We Wish More People Talked About: An Upcycling Talent

Update: The Miss Universe 2022 winner is R’Bonney Nola Gabriel, Miss USA!

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Very soon on the Miss Universe stage, we are excited to support R’Bonney Nola Gabriel, our Miss USA 2022 and Miss Texas 2022. Our fiercely inspiring and confident Miss USA is unafraid to challenge society’s assumptions, and she is creating and finding purpose out of things that were originally given up on.

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This is not a post about the details of a past story or the pageant industry itself, but rather one thing about R’Bonney Gabriel that everyone should be talking about: how she uses her own skills and talents to inspire others – specifically with upcycling clothes.

Let alone being a model for this cause, R’Bonney has also given all proceeds from her modeling gigs to charity. She has plans to open up an upcycling clothing store in Houston called “The Red Carpet Initiative.” Read on to learn more…

Her Upcycling Story

R’Bonney Gabriel was a contestant on the “Miss Texas” pageant in 2022. She had worked as a designer for many years and created custom, one-of-a-kind clothing for clients. However, she does not sell her designs in stores, as she wanted each customer to feel as though the clothing was made just for them.

She is also a sewing instructor at Houston nonprofit design house, Magpies and Peacocks.

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Why is Upcycling So Important to R’Bonney Gabriel?

Most people will purchase a new item to replace an old piece of clothing that they no longer wear. All too often, the old item gets thrown out – increasing waste and carbon emissions – when it could be given a new purpose. Upcycling breathes new life into old items and creates an impact that extends far beyond the items themselves.

R’Bonney points out that one person’s trash could be another person’s treasure. For example, an old t-shirt that you no longer wear could be given a new purpose such as cleaning windows or wrapping around gardening tools for protection. R’Bonney is passionate about upcycling because it “promotes sustainability and resourcefulness.” She also believes that upcycling is “a great way to earn money for charities and help others in need.”

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R’Bonney’s Inspirational Words of Wisdom

“Never let a dark cloud dim your light.”

“Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality.”

“Designing can be very tough, but rewarding.”

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R’Bonney’s Inspiring Impact

Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel is visiting the Philippines in December 2022 to do charity work with Smile Train, a nonprofit organization that provides corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.

The Filipino-American beauty queen will be visiting the country as part of her humanitarian missions.

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What You Can Learn From R’Bonney

You don’t have to be a famous designer or have the funds to create your own collection to make a difference. You can literally reuse or repurpose old clothing items that are just sitting around in storage. You could even sell some of these items on eBay, Etsy, or Amazon to earn some extra income for yourself. In turn, this will help others who may not be able to afford new items.

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In summary, be more mindful about how you’re consuming and what you’re wasting in your everyday life. Remember to repurpose and reuse items that you no longer need and that are just collecting dust in your closet or storage. You will be amazed at how many other uses exist for these items and how you can help others while also saving money. You can make a difference in the world one item of clothing at a time!