Photo from veejayfloresca/Instagram
Unveiling a collection that was both personal and powerful, Filipino American designer Veejay Floresca clinched the top prize on the recently concluded Project Runway Season 21, making history as the first trans woman to win the long-running fashion competition.
Her victory is being hailed as a milestone for Filipino representation on the global stage.
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Capsule collection
Floresca’s capsule collection was born out of a childhood memory shared with her father. In an Instagram post featuring her winning runway, she wrote, “This capsule collection lives in a very special place in my heart. It was born from a movie my dad and I used to watch together when I was a kid… I can still see myself as a child, completely mesmerized by the villain ‘Mercury Man.’”
She explained that when she reached the final three, her vision had been to pay tribute to her dad.
“Every piece in this collection carries that memory, that love, and that gratitude. Creating it was not just about clothes — it was about telling our story of love and acceptance,” she shared. Floresca described the designs as meant for women who embrace power, complexity and purpose.
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Her work captivated a panel of esteemed judges, including Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, Heidi Klum and Law Roach. Floresca later expressed to them her appreciation, as well as to mentor Christian Siriano and her fellow contestants, for helping make the season unforgettable.
Setbacks became stepping stones
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, she reflected on the years it took before she finally got cast. “I always believe in destiny. And because of those years [of not getting cast], I became more and more skilled, and you need skills to win Project Runway,” she said, emphasizing that setbacks became stepping stones to her eventual triumph.
Floresca first gained attention as a contestant on Project Runway Philippines and returned to the franchise with a bolder perspective and a refined approach. Officially described as “a fearless designer and proud trans woman from the Philippines,” she has now proven that title with a groundbreaking win.
Her story joins the ranks of other Filipino talents like Jessica Sanchez and Sofronio Vasquez, who captivated global audiences through their perseverance.
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