Filipino designer Veejay Floresca to compete in 'Project Runway' Season 21
Filipino talent is once again taking center stage in global fashion, with proud trans designer Veejay Floresca announced as a contestant on the highly anticipated 21st season of Project Runway.
The show, which sees the return of original host Heidi Klum alongside judges Nina Garcia and Law Roach, described Floresca as a "fearless designer" who is known for her "fiercely competitive and unapologetic personality along with her aesthetic that combines modernity, wearability, and art."
"Finally, the moment I’ve been waiting for. I’m competing for Project Runway Season 21," she wrote in a Facebook post.
The highly anticipated Project Runway Season 21 will see 12 designers compete for the coveted title, featuring a diverse lineup that includes returning alums from previous seasons and even a former contestant from RuPaul's Drag Race.
Big names in the industry are set to appear as guest judges, such as Christian Cowan, Harris Reed, Jenna Lyons, Joan Smalls, Michael Kors, Mickey Guyton, Nikki Glaser, Sara Foster, Sofia Vergara, Tyra Banks, and Zac Posen.
The show streams on Disney+ starting July 31.
Floresca previously competed in the inaugural season of Project Runway Philippines in 2008, where she secured third place.
Her journey since then has seen her broaden her brand, establish herself in New York, and center her craft on sustainable practices, creating unique, eco-conscious garments as she believed that fashion "should be personal, inclusive, and kind to the planet."
Among her muses were beauty queens Katrina Dimaranan, Maureen Montagne, Rabiya Mateo, trans advocate and international model Geena Rocero, and American singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood.
Floresca, an alumna of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde's fashion design and merchandising program, also showcased her talent on Hulu's Dress My Tour, a reality competition series where designers create outfits for musical artists.
She also represented the country at the Miss Trans Star International 2022 in Spain, the most prestigious beauty pageant for transgenders in Europe.
