Veejay Floresca Makes History as First Trans Woman & Filipina Designer to Win Project Runway

On September 25, Veejay Floresca made history as the first trans and Filipina-American designer to win Project Runway in the reality series’ 21-season history. As the winner, Floresca receives a cash prize of $200,000, a mentorship from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and a feature on the American edition of Elle Magazine.

This year’s season boasted an impressive panel of judges including signature host Heidi Klum, Elle Magazine’s editor-in-chief and original judge, Nina García, and the incomparable image architect Law Roach. The legendary Michael Kors returned as a guest judge for the season finale.

In the finale, after a week-by-week elimination of the 12 designers, only three contestants remained: Veejay Floresca, season 7’s Jesus Estrada, and Ethan Mundt. Amid an infamously drama-filled season involving Floresca and the Estrada twins, Floresca emerged as what Nina García called “the dark horse”, outlasting the competition through skill, resourcefulness, and grit.

It may come as a surprise that Floresca is no newcomer to Project Runway or the spotlight. In 2008, she competed on the first season of Project Runway Philippines, finishing as second runner-up. In 2022, she represented the Philippines at Miss Trans Star International, where she secured a spot in the Top 16.

Floresca is a living example of an unshakeable work ethic and determination. After moving to the United States in 2012, the longtime Project Runway superfan auditioned 13 times before finally landing a spot on the show’s 2025 season.

In the Season 21 Finale, Floresca’s winning collection, “A Beautiful Moment”, featured silver metal designs inspired by the T-1000, the liquid metal Terminator from Terminator 2: Judgment Day. She also handpicked Mimi Tao, Project Runway’s first transgender model, to close her show.

“I want to achieve that villain power that [the T-1000] has. You can’t kill him. For me, I’ve been through a lot, but I’m still here. You can’t kill me”, said Floresca on the show.

Floresca shared that she and her father often watched the film together. After her father, the family’s breadwinner, passed away in 2001, her family faced financial hardship. Floresca dedicated her finale collection to her father’s memory and to supporting her family. That fearless spirit is undoubtedly Floresca’s superpower, catapulting her to a historic victory.

Veejay Floresca shared a heartwarming acceptance speech on her Instagram, writing, “Winning Project Runway Season 21 is living proof that when you truly believe in yourself, anything is possible. It might take years, heartbreaks, and setbacks — but every single step is worth it.”

She continued, “I’ve been a superfan since day one. I still remember watching Episode 1 and seeing Austin Scarlett win that very first challenge with a dress made of corn husks. In that moment I whispered to myself, “One day, I’ll be on that stage.” This show isn’t just about clothes; it’s about stories. Stories that show resilience. Stories that inspire.”

“As an immigrant, a trans woman, someone who has been told “no” more times than I can count, someone who has lost twice before… standing here as the winner of this iconic show means hope. It’s a reminder to anyone reading this: never let rejection or failure stop you. Let it sharpen you. Let it build you. Use it as your stepping stone. You are worthy. If I can do it, you can too.

From the deepest part of my heart, thank you to my loved ones, my family, my friends, my partner, my clients, and every single supporter who lifted me up. To my fellow designers — congratulations to all of us. This is only the beginning. We are all talented, and each of us has an audience waiting to believe in our work. To the tireless producers, directors, writers, staff, models — everyone who makes this show possible — thank you. I wish I could hug each of you. And to Nina, Heidi, Law, Michael, and Christian — thank you for believing in me. I promise to use this win to grow my business so I can also help people.

For anyone dreaming of competing on Project Runway: prepare yourself. Enter with a winning mindset. Know your purpose. Hold on to it. This isn’t just my win. This is a win for everyone who has walked this journey with me from the very beginning until today. You know who you are. Thank you for believing in me.”