BY: Nyla Stanford
Published 1 week ago
“Project Runway” has instilled in the minds of aspiring designers with big ambitions to be the next fashion superstar since its debut in 2004. The commercialization of the show has put fashion design at the forefront of television and legitimized the desire to pursue a career in the industry. However, this season marked a new milestone for the reality show, as it crowned its first-ever transgender woman, Veejay Floresca, as the winner of Season 21.
Who Is Veejay Floresca?
Floresca always knew what direction she wanted to take with her pursuit of fashion. She has followed every season of “Project Runway” since its inception. Born and raised in the Philippines, she applied and was selected as a contestant for the first season of “Project Runway” Philippines. She placed 2nd, but her runner-up status only pushed her desire further for the American show.
Fast-forward to 2012, Floresca migrated to the United States to complete her master’s degree in fashion at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. However, she never forgot her end goal. Since moving to the United States, she has applied for every season of “Project Runway”, culminating in season 21.
Somehow, through each rejection, she maintained a glass-half-full perspective. “Every time I would see the word ‘unfortunately’ at the top of the email,” Floresca told ELLE magazine. “I would tell myself, ‘It’s not your time yet, but hold on because your time will come.’ Now is that time.”
The Historical Milestone for ‘Project Runway‘
But it wasn’t just her journey that made history on the show. Floresca represents many identities that don’t receive national attention for their talents due to the political and historical state of the American administration. Not to mention, the top three for season 21 were all queer. Floresca stands proud as an immigrant and a trans woman of color, marking the first time the show has selected anyone from that minority trifecta. “I’m an immigrant, I’m a trans woman, a trans woman of color, and people need to see that we are not enemies. We are just normal people with dreams and aspirations, and I hope that my story can change people’s perspective,” Floresca told ELLE magazine.
The Next Steps for Floresca
Now, “Project Runway” would be nothing without its coveted prize: a $200,000 cash prize, as well as a mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and a spread in ELLE magazine. Floresca is excited to take her career-changing winnings to the next chapter of her design future.
“I will be the next Christian Siriano. I want to be remembered as Christian Siriano, who used the win to create a very strong brand,” Floresca tells the Hollywood Reporter. “If there’s Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood of American Idol, there’s Veejay Floresca and Christian Siriano of Project Runway. That’s the goal, and that’s the reason why I joined, because I really want to grow the business and have a brand. So I hope — not I hope, I will make that happen,”
Siriano was the winner of “Project Runway’s” Season 4 and has become the most successful contestant since the show’s inception. He has had the longest-running celebrity clientele, dressing 17 celebrities for the 2018 Oscars. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that Floresca’s ultimate goal is to replicate his success. Henceforth, the world will eagerly anticipate her next collection.
What do you think about Veejay Floresca’s win? What are you advocating for her future endeavors? Comment Below!
