Isang araw pagkatapos na tanghaling season 21 winner si Veejay Floresca sa reality competition show na Project Runway, naging guest siya agad sa Good Morning America ng ABC noong September 26, 2025.
Masayang pinag-usapan sa show ang groundbreaking moment ni Veejay who made history as the first Filipino-American transwoman to win on Project Runway.
“Being the first Filipino-American transwoman of color to win this iconic competition, it’s a celebration of authenticity.
“With what's going on in our country. I think that being there representing my community, it feels amazing.
“And I tell everybody that fashion is a safe space for everybody. We celebrate diversity, inclusivity. So I feel honored to be the first person to represent my community,” saad niya.
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DREAM COME TRUE FOR VEEJAY FLORESCA
Noong i-announce ni Heidi Klum ang name ng winner, hindi makapaniwala si Veejay na pangalan niya ang narinig niya.
“It's a fulfillment of a dream. I've been wanting to be part of this competition. So when Heidi announced my name as the winner, I couldn't believe it.
“You know, I'm like, 'Am I dreaming? Is this really happening?' But then, I realized that I deserve it.
“I work hard to be in that position and to be announced as the winner. I'm just really, really happy. Just to know you deserve that. “
Ni-reveal ng 39-year old designer na 13 times siyang nag-audition for Project Runway simula noong ma-base siya sa US in 2013.
“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 until they say yes.'
“I believe that you need to work hard. Fashion is a cutthroat industry. It's not for a sissy if you're interested.
“It's a lot of work. And being in the competition itself, I tried so many times to get there. I've been rejected so many times.
“So it just made me stronger. And being in that competition, my mindset is to win this. So I am very, very competitive."
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VEEJAY FLORESCA INNOVATIVE PIECE, CHALLENGES
Maituturing na favorite challenge ni Veejay ay ang paggamit ng unconventional materials at nabuo niya ang shuttlecock dress.
“My favorite is the shuttlecock dress. So it's a fan favorite because we're asked to design and create a garment using an unconventional material. And I used shuttlecock.
“It looked like lace. So to me, I accomplished the goal to become innovative and to create something fresh and new.”
Being a trailblazing designer, Veejay creates clothes for every aspects of women’s beauty across shapes, colors, and individuality.
“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.”
Gusto nga raw niyang sumunod sa yapak ni Christian Siriano, ang paboritong designer ng maraming Hollywood celebrities ngayon.
Si Siriano ang youngest winner ng Project Runway (season 4 in 2007) at member ng Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
“I want to be the next Christian Soriano. I want to dress real people, because I want people to wear my design.”
Ang mahirap na part daw sa pagiging designer ay ang magustuhan ng maraming tao ang mga ginagawa niya.
“I think the toughest part is really creating new things that people love. Because there's a lot of designers out there, especially in New York City.
“Everybody comes here to fulfill their dreams. But I think that if you have the passion, And I'm glad that I'm doing what I love the most, which is fashion.”
Ilan sa mga celebrities na gusto niyang damitan ay ang two-time Emmy winner na si Zendaya, Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo, at ang Project Runway judges na sina Heidi Klum at Nina Garcia.
WHO IS VEEJAY FLORESCA?
Bago naging contestant sa Project Runway sa US si Veejay, naging runner-up siya sa Project Runway Philippines season one in 2008.
Graduate si Veejay ng fashion design and merchandising from DLSU College of St. Benilde. Nag-compete na siya noon sa International Competition of Young Fashion Designers in Paris, France.
In 2014, Veejay won the Grand Prize Winner of LA Fashion Design Competition.
In 2022, Veejay represented the country in Miss Trans Star International at pumasok siya sa Top 16.
Meron din siyang bridal wear business called Madore in Los Angeles at RTW line na FOUR28.
Ang nauwing premyo ni Veejay bilang season 21 winner ng Project Runway ay $200,000, six months of representation by Agentry PR, mentorship under the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and a spread in Elle magazine.