# Veejay Floresca
**Veejay Floresca** is a Filipino fashion designer based in New York City who won Season 21 of the American television competition *Project Runway* in 2025, becoming the first Filipina and the first openly transgender woman to win the United States edition of the show[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/). She designs made-to-order and bridal wear under her own label and has shown collections at [New York Fashion Week](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-york-fashion-week)[2](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/about).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Born and raised in the Philippines; based in New York City[2](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/about) |
| Education | Fashion Design and Merchandising at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde; bridal wear at Central Saint Martins, London; master's in Fashion at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco[2](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/about) |
| *Project Runway* US | Winner of Season 21 in 2025; first Filipina and first openly trans woman to win the American edition[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/) |
| Earlier TV | Finalist on the inaugural *Project Runway Philippines* (2008); contestant on Hulu's *Dress My Tour*[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/) • [3](https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/874332/project-runway-season-16-premiere-who-survived-week-one) |
| Persistence | Submitted her application to the American show more than 13 times before being cast[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/) |
| Business model | Made-to-order, slow fashion; bridal gowns designed for more than 500 clients[2](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/about) • [1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/) |
| NYFW debut | February 2026 presentation at the Ritz Carlton NoMad, inspired by Willem de Kooning's abstract expressionist paintings[4](https://fault-magazine.com/2026/02/how-project-runway-winner-veejay-floresca-is-redefining-inclusive-fashion-at-nyfw/) |
## Early life and education
Floresca was born and raised in the Philippines. She has described early exposure to clothing through her mother's hand sewing and her own sketching as a child, and she chose fashion over the practical career paths she had considered[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/). She graduated in Fashion Design and [Merchandising](https://www.edgepedia.org/merchandising) from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde in Manila, finishing at the top of her class with cum laude honors[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/).
She then moved to London to study bridal wear design at [Central Saint Martins](https://www.edgepedia.org/central-saint-martins), and later earned a master's degree in [Fashion](https://www.edgepedia.org/fashion) from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/) • [2](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/about). Her LinkedIn profile dates the Academy of Art University enrollment from 2012 to 2015[5](https://www.linkedin.com/in/veejayfloresca). In a 2015 interview she said she had transitioned to female in 2013 while living in California[6](https://fashionschooldaily.com/student-spotlight-the-stellar-veejay-floresca/35424/).
## Career in the Philippines
Floresca first gained national attention on the inaugural season of *Project Runway Philippines* in 2008. Vogue Philippines describes her as finishing in third place[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/), while a resolution of the Philippine House of Representatives honoring her describes her as runner-up[7](https://docs.congress.hrep.online/legisdocs/basic_20/HR00402.pdf).
She built a bridal practice in Manila, designing gowns for more than five hundred clients and sometimes attending several weddings in a single weekend[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/). She has said that working in the Philippine wedding industry, where demand is high and timelines tight, strengthened her ability to work under pressure[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/).
## Project Runway US
After immigrating to the United States in 2012, Floresca applied repeatedly to the American edition of *Project Runway*. She has described seasons of rejections, including one occasion when she was confirmed for the cast and replaced a week before filming[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/). In a separate account she has said she kept applying for about 15 years before being selected[8](https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bf51c08b-1f78-456e-8983-ceb458952ed6/episodes/ba9d68e6-4f1c-4d6c-8dcc-d289fde12471/asia-forward-from-%E2%80%9Cproject-runway%E2%80%9D-to-nyfw-how-a-filipino-designer-built-her-career-in-the-u-s).
She was cast for Season 21, which aired on Freeform, Hulu, and Disney+, and competed against fellow finalists Jesus Estrada and Ethan Mundt, completing a five-look collection in five days[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/). Her finale collection used monochromatic, sculpted curves compared by Vogue Philippines to the work of [Richard Serra](https://www.edgepedia.org/richard-serra), closing with an asymmetrical draped chainmail gown; the judges were [Heidi Klum](https://www.edgepedia.org/heidi-klum), Nina García, Law Roach, and [Michael Kors](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-kors)[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/). The finale aired on September 25, 2025[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/).
The win made her the first Filipina and the first openly transgender woman to take the American title[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/). The prize package included a cash award, six months of representation by Agentry PR, mentorship under the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and a spread in *[Elle](https://www.edgepedia.org/elle-magazine) US*[1](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/). Before Season 21 she had also appeared on Hulu's reality competition *Dress My Tour*[3](https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/874332/project-runway-season-16-premiere-who-survived-week-one).
## New York Fashion Week and recent work
Floresca made her New York Fashion Week debut in February 2026 with a presentation at the Ritz Carlton NoMad that opened with an impromptu runway show[4](https://fault-magazine.com/2026/02/how-project-runway-winner-veejay-floresca-is-redefining-inclusive-fashion-at-nyfw/) • [9](https://www.sheskimmie.com/moodboard/2026/2/16/sk-studio-out-about-nyfw-fw26-veejay-floresca). She said the collection was inspired by [Willem de Kooning](https://www.edgepedia.org/willem-de-kooning)'s abstract expressionist paintings, translated into color, pattern, and layered textures, and it included tailored suits in several colorways and evening gowns[4](https://fault-magazine.com/2026/02/how-project-runway-winner-veejay-floresca-is-redefining-inclusive-fashion-at-nyfw/). Vogue Philippines notes that the debut placed her on the official CFDA calendar[10](https://vogue.ph/fashion/runway/veejay-floresca-new-york-fashion-week-debut/).
Her casting drew attention for inclusivity: the FAULT Magazine reviewer described the models as spanning all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and ages, and called them the most diverse group she saw that week[4](https://fault-magazine.com/2026/02/how-project-runway-winner-veejay-floresca-is-redefining-inclusive-fashion-at-nyfw/). For her Spring/Summer 2027 presentation she drew on Filipino design elements, including a reimagining of the Barong Tagalog, and she sources materials from the Philippines such as piña, a pineapple-fiber textile, and banig, a handwoven mat material[8](https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bf51c08b-1f78-456e-8983-ceb458952ed6/episodes/ba9d68e6-4f1c-4d6c-8dcc-d289fde12471/asia-forward-from-%E2%80%9Cproject-runway%E2%80%9D-to-nyfw-how-a-filipino-designer-built-her-career-in-the-u-s) • [5](https://www.linkedin.com/in/veejayfloresca). A 2027 Spring/Summer bridal collection was also published by the Japanese fashion outlet FASHIONSNAP[11](https://www.fashionsnap.com/collection/veejay-floresca/bridal/2027ss/).
## Design philosophy and business
Floresca's label describes its motto as "Fashion is for everyone" and positions her work as made-to-order, slow fashion, a model she says lets her work closely with individual clients[2](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/about). Her stated design philosophy balances simplicity with complexity and softness with strength, with an emphasis on tailoring, sculptural silhouettes, and architectural references[2](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/about).
Her custom process runs from a personal consultation and a 50 percent deposit, through sketches, fabric selection, and one or more fittings, to delivery with the balance due at shipping[12](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/custom). Her bridal line markets itself as sustainable and size inclusive, with no extra fees for customizations[13](https://veejayflorescabridal.com/collections/all). Ready-made dresses on her main site are priced from $1,188 to $3,488 USD[14](https://veejayfloresca.com/collections/dresses).
## References
1. [Veejay Floresca Makes History on Project Runway, Vogue Philippines](https://vogue.ph/fashion/designer-profile/veejay-floresca-project-runway/)
2. [About Veejay Floresca, veejayfloresca.com](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/about)
3. [Project Runway winners: Where are they now?, E! Online](https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/874332/project-runway-season-16-premiere-who-survived-week-one)
4. [How Project Runway Winner Veejay Floresca Is Redefining Inclusive Fashion at NYFW, FAULT Magazine](https://fault-magazine.com/2026/02/how-project-runway-winner-veejay-floresca-is-redefining-inclusive-fashion-at-nyfw/)
5. [Veejay Floresca, LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/veejayfloresca)
6. [Student Spotlight: The Stellar Veejay Floresca, Fashion School Daily](https://fashionschooldaily.com/student-spotlight-the-stellar-veejay-floresca/35424/)
7. [House Resolution No. 402, Republic of the Philippines House of Representatives](https://docs.congress.hrep.online/legisdocs/basic_20/HR00402.pdf)
8. [From "Project Runway" to NYFW: How a Filipino Designer Built Her Career in the U.S., Asia Forward podcast](https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bf51c08b-1f78-456e-8983-ceb458952ed6/episodes/ba9d68e6-4f1c-4d6c-8dcc-d289fde12471/asia-forward-from-%E2%80%9Cproject-runway%E2%80%9D-to-nyfw-how-a-filipino-designer-built-her-career-in-the-u-s)
9. [SK Studio Out + About: NYFW FW26 Veejay Floresca, She's Kimmie](https://www.sheskimmie.com/moodboard/2026/2/16/sk-studio-out-about-nyfw-fw26-veejay-floresca)
10. [Veejay Floresca's NYFW Debut Draws on Willem de Kooning, Vogue Philippines](https://vogue.ph/fashion/runway/veejay-floresca-new-york-fashion-week-debut/)
11. [Veejay Floresca 2027 Spring Summer Bridal Collection, FASHIONSNAP](https://www.fashionsnap.com/collection/veejay-floresca/bridal/2027ss/)
12. [Custom Wedding Dresses, Veejay Floresca Bridal](https://veejayfloresca.com/pages/custom)
13. [Products, Veejay Floresca Bridal](https://veejayflorescabridal.com/collections/all)
14. [Dresses, Veejay Floresca](https://veejayfloresca.com/collections/dresses)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Food, customs, and everyday culture › Clothing, textiles, and domestic crafts › Textile and clothing industry › Fashion designers › American fashion designers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license