Fashion Spotlight: Filipino-American Designer Veejay Floresca Is Only Getting Started
Since winning season 21 of Project Runway, trailblazer Veejay Floresca has been on a steady rise in the fashion world. Establishing herself as the first transgender designer to win the show, she adds this to the growing list of achievements she’s collected throughout her career. Although she has a newly stationed studio in New York City, her heart remains with her culture of the Philippines.
Before immigrating to the U.S to receive her Master’s degree at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Floresca’s design experience started at home. Born and raised in the Philippines, television introduced her to the fashion world. She imagined herself becoming a lawyer like her father, but ultimately received her Bachelor’s degree in fashion design and merchandising at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila. Soon after, she set her eyes back on the television to make her next move in the industry.
Working Hard, Dreaming Big
Season 21 of Project Runway was not Floresca’s first encounter with reality TV. In 2008, she competed on the first season of Project Runway Philippines, finishing as the second runner-up. She later showcased her skills and ended as the first runner-up on season one of Hulu’s Dress My Tour. The self-proclaimed Project Runway superfan continued to dream about being a part of the U.S. version of the show. In 2012, Floresca began her audition process. A testament to her resilience, the designer continued to apply every season, even after the show rejected her for nearly 13 years. She recounted to ELLE the moment she received that “Yes” after many years of being told no, “I would tell myself, ‘It’s not your time yet, but hold on because your time will come.’ Now is that time.”
After winning the show, Floresca described it all as a well-deserved dream come true. She attributed her win to the hard work she’s put into honing her craft and building her brand for over a decade. Becoming the first Filipino-American and transgender woman to win the show, Floresca described her historic win to Good Morning America as a “celebration of authenticity.” Embodying the values that she carries into her work, the designer reasserted the importance of representing her communities on TV and in the fashion industry.
Craftsmanship as Empowerment
Modern elegance with an emphasis on celebrating diversity and inclusivity is how Veejay Floresca envisions her brand. On September 13th, 2025, she brought this vision to life in her New York Fashion Week debut with Filipinxt’s New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 runway show. The show featured models of various body types walking down the runway with heads held high, reasserting Floresca’s mantra of crafting confidence through clothing. Floresca explained to MEGA that she created the capsule collection to celebrate the launch of her new online store. The looks were designed with a client-first approach, creating luxurious yet wearable silhouettes that Floresca sees, “real people wearing…in their everyday lives.” Through her new website, she dedicates herself to working with clients directly to craft custom made-to-order garments. Her slow fashion approach only amplifies the commitment to growth that she’s carried throughout her career.
Amongst the flowy gowns and tailored blazers, a reinvention of her now iconic “shuttlecock dress” — a product of the “unconventional materials” Project Runway challenge — was featured in the collection. A nod to the resourcefulness and creativity of her people, the influence from her Filipino heritage shone brightly in her design aesthetic.
What’s Next
Her spread in the October 2025 issue of ELLE Magazine and NYFW debut are only a few of her accomplishments following her Project Runway win as the eveningwear and bridal designer continues to dream big. Getting a taste of celebrity styling during her time on reality TV, Floresca hopes to grow her celebrity clientele as her brand grows. She named Zendaya as a dream client, as well as Olivia Rodrigo, with whom she shares Filipino heritage. In February 2026, Veejay Floresca will have her first solo runway show. In collaboration with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Floresca will launch a 40-piece collection that will unveil the identity of her brand moving forward.
Keep up with Veejay Floresca as she dives into creating her new collection by following her on Instagram and on her website.
Want to read more about up and coming designers? Check out EnVi’s NYFW mini issue here.
