Filipino-American designer Veejay Floresca has made history as the first transgender designer to win the long-running fashion competition Project Runway, capturing the Season 21 on Friday September 26.

Floresca, who previously competed in Project Runway Philippines Season 1 in 2008 and was runner-up, shared an emotional moment after her win. “I was just a little gay boy in the Philippines watching the show, and I’ve always been wanting to do this,” she said. “And now, this is my time. So thank you so much. Thank you for being part of my dream.” She also expressed pride in representing her Filipino American and transgender communities, telling Good Morning America: “Being the first Filipino-American trans woman of color to win this iconic competition, it’s a celebration of authenticity.”

At 39 years old, Floresca revealed that she auditioned 13 times since moving to the United States in 2013 before finally being accepted.

“For 13 years, since I moved to the U.S., I’ve always been auditioning and then no, no, no, no. But I’m like, ‘I will still keep doing it until they say yes,’” she said.

Known for her sharp eye for detail and innovative use of materials, one of her favorite challenges was creating a “shuttlecock dress” using unconventional materials.

“It looked like lace. So to me, I accomplished the goal to become innovative and to create something fresh and new,” Floresca said.

Floresca’s design philosophy centers on inclusivity and celebrating diversity.

“I design for different types of women, because I think that every woman is beautiful, every color is beautiful. So what’s best for me is to really take advantage of this opportunity to grow my brand,” she shared.

Her win on Project Runway Season 21 comes with a prize of $200,000, six months of representation by Agentry PR, mentorship under the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and a feature spread in Elle magazine.

Floresca expressed pride in representing her Filipino American and transgender communities. “With what’s going on in our country, representing my (Filipino American) community feels amazing,” she said on Good Morning America the day after her victory. “Being the first Filipino-American trans woman of color to win this iconic competition, it’s a celebration of authenticity.”

Before her American Project Runway journey, Floresca earned a degree in fashion design and merchandising from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Philippines and competed in the International Competition of Young Fashion Designers in Paris. She also runs a bridal wear business called Madore in Los Angeles and her ready-to-wear line FOUR28.

Floresca said she hopes to follow in the footsteps of Christian Siriano, the youngest Project Runway winner who has dressed many Hollywood celebrities. “I want to be the next Christian Siriano. I want to dress real people, because I want people to wear my design,” she said.

Veejay’s win is not just for herself. It’s for every Filipino, every trans woman, and every person who’s still dreaming of their own big break. Her story shows that with hard work and patience, dreams can truly come true — no matter how long it takes.

H/T: Good Morning America

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/veejayfloresca/