Miss Universe 2022 R'bonney Gabriel rocks an all-denim look made of scrap textiles
Filipino fashion designer Marian Zara creates contemporary designs using dead-stock fabrics
By John Legaspi
It has been one of Miss Universe R’bonney Gabriel’s missions to use fashion as a tool to make a change. The Fil-Am beauty queen understands the effects of fashion when it comes to global waste problems. But as a designer, she also knows that innovative clothing and smart design have the power to alter its effect.
Throughout her reign, R’bonney has presented her ways of making sustainable fashions, which also involve empowering makers and creative that supports the same initiative. A testament to that was seen during her last visit to the Philippines, where she wore an all-denim look made of scrap fabrics.

Designed by Filipino fashion designer Marian Zara, the look, a patchworked denim jacket and skirt, was inspired by the idea of a puzzle. “We combined different pieces from different scraps and made an artwork,” the designer said.
Since establishing her namesake brand, Marian has been using her passion for design to turn waste into wearable art. Apart from R’bonney, she has designed denim garbs for many celebrities, including Marina Summers, Lovi Poe, and Heart Evangelista. And if you have unwanted jeans in your closet, trust that she can give them a new life.
“Adding repurposed materials–-fabric scraps, dead stock fabrics, and cutoffs—is our little way of reducing the trash that we contribute to the environment,” Marian told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “It also makes the piece unique since the design and colorway are different from each piece. For some of our clients, they send us some of their favorite pants/jackets and we incorporate them into a new piece. Thus, making their new piece more personalized.”
Marian’s journey in fashion started way back in her college days studying fine arts. In her third year, she decided to join a fashion show and discovered a new medium to express her creativity. Since then, she has been using textile waste for her streetwear designs.
“Using scraps and repurposing them makes me realize the environmental impact of the fashion industry,” Marian said. “Those ‘retasos’ could be filling up the landfill but we chose to create a wearable art out of those scraps.”
Check out more of Marian Zara’s designs at marianzara.com or by visiting @marianzara on Instagram.