Ligwak na sa ongoing Project Runway Season 22 si Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel.
Isa nga si Gabriel sa anim na hindi na magpapatuloy pa ng kanilang journey sa naturang fashion contest na sikat sa buong mundo at nakapag-produce na ng mga world class fashion designers and models.
Kalaban ang iba pang 21 other designers in the fashion-design competition, ang fil-am beauty queen na tinanghal na Miss Universe noong 2022 ay lumuluhang tinanggap ang naging kapalaran sa kontes.
Tila hindi nagustuhan ng mga umupong hurado ang kanyang mga disenyong damit, style at ang hindi pinaborang upcycled denim ensemble with a statement hood. Base sa inspirasyon ni Gabriel mula s pagtuturo niya ng workshop sa San Francisco youth, hindi nga ito pumasa sa panlasa ng mga judges na sina Heidi Klum, Law Roach, Nina Garcia, at guest judge na si Tyra Banks.
Ayon pa sa mga ito, “too safe and did not break the mold,” ang istilo ni Gabriel.
Nagpost sa kanyang IG account ang dating MIss Universe na umaming ‘disappointed’ siya sa pangyayari lalo’t halos kasisimula pa lang ng kumpetisyon, pero tinuran din nitong gagamitin niyang magandang opportunity ang kanyang maagang pagkakatanggal, “to reframe setbacks and dedicate more time to her eco-friendly fashion label.”
Saad pa ni Gabriel, “When I got cut from the competition in that judging room, my heart sank. I couldn’t believe it was happening, but at the same time, I was not super surprised. All day that day, I had a lot of anxiety. This terrible feeling that I was not safe to stay in the competition. I kept it in my head, but I was really trying to convince myself that maybe there’s just a glimmer of hope when I got to the bottom two.”
Matindi naman ang nakuha niyang support sa kanyang mga beaucon fans na inakusahan ang Project Runway na ginamit lang for clout ang beauty queen dahil mas pinag-uusapan sila ngayon.
Sa gitna pa rin ng disappointment, sinabi ni R’Bonney na magsisilbing eye opener ito sa kanya at nangakong higit na pagbubutihin ang kanyang craft at hindi susukong maging isang tanyag na fashion designer.
“It’s embarrassing to be rejected. I’ve had a few days now to process it. This is a really eye-opening experience for me as a designer. I dedicated a lot of time to sewing, but I would say that in the last three years, I’ve done so many other things in my career that I haven’t been solely focused on design,” dagdag pa ni Gabriel.
Pagpapatuloy niya, “I’d be lying if I were to say I don’t feel insecure after this experience. It definitely makes me question myself as a designer. But I’m gonna take this as a learning lesson. I just want to dedicate more time for my craft and my fashion business, and I will continue to improve on that.”
Huling nakita si R’Bonney sa bansa bilang Dabarkad sa Eat Bulaga noong 2025 at nakagawa din ng ilang TV projects/guestings promoting her fashion designs.
Ang latest na nasagap ng BISTADO ay babalik siya sa Pinas dahil mayroon pa siyang mga nakabinbin na trabaho.