Ched Rick Gatchalian

Fil-Am designer Veejay Floresca reflected on her journey before winning "Project Runway" Season 21. Facebook/Veejay Floresca

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Fil-Am designer recalls hardship, failures before 'Project Runway' Season 21 win

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758958955924556096423_3322816387869830_2918067401343986390_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Fil-Am designer Veejay Floresca reflected on her journey before winning &quot;Project Runway&quot; Season 21. Facebook/Veejay FlorescaFor Filipino-American fashion designer Veejay Floresca, winning Project Runway Season 21 marks a symbolic triumph after countless rejections, setbacks, and failures.</div>In a Facebook post, Floresca recalled the days when she only dreamed of joining the show.&quot;I’ve been a superfan since day one. I still remember watching Episode 1 and seeing Austin Scarlett win that very first challenge with a dress made of corn husks. In that moment I whispered to myself, &#x27;One day, I’ll be on that stage,&#x27;&quot; she wrote, adding that the show highlights inspiring stories and not just clothes.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/9/26/filipino-designer-veejay-floresca-wins-project-runway-season-21-1319">READ: Filipino designer Veejay Floresca wins &#x27;Project Runway&#x27; season 21</a></div>She reflected on the struggles she faced as an immigrant and trans woman, suffering repeated rejections and failures. But she said these setbacks should never stop anyone from pursuing their journey.&quot;As an immigrant, a trans woman, someone who has been told &#x27;no&#x27; more times than I can count, someone who has lost twice before… standing here as the winner of this iconic show means hope,&quot; Floresca stressed.&quot;It’s a reminder to anyone reading this: never let rejection or failure stop you. Let it sharpen you. Let it build you. Use it as your stepping stone. You are worthy. If I can do it, you can too,&quot; she added.Floresca then thanked her family, friends, partner, and clients who supported her along the way. She also congratulated her fellow designers, telling them that each one is talented and has an audience waiting to see their work.To the production team behind the show, she wrote: &quot;To the tireless producers, directors, writers, staff, models — everyone who makes this show possible — thank you. I wish I could hug each of you.&quot;With many still aspiring to win Project Runway just as she once did, Floresca emphasized the importance of knowing one’s purpose.&quot;For anyone dreaming of competing on Project Runway: prepare yourself. Enter with a winning mindset. Know your purpose. Hold on to it,&quot; she said.&quot;This isn’t just my win. This is a win for everyone who has walked this journey with me from the very beginning until today. You know who you are. Thank you for believing in me,&quot; she added.Floresca said she wanted to be the first trans woman to win Project Runway, believing her victory can inspire the LGBTQ+ community to pursue their dreams and embrace their identity.She previously joined the first season of Project Runway Philippines in 2008, where she finished as runner-up.In 2022, she represented the Philippines in Miss Trans Star International, placing in the Top 16.

For Filipino-American fashion designer Veejay Floresca, winning Project Runway Season 21 marks a symbolic triumph after countless rejections, setbacks, and failures.

For Filipino-American fashion designer Veejay Floresca, winning Project Runway Season 21 marks a symbolic triumph after countless rejections, setbacks, and failures.

'This means hope': Fil-Am designer Veejay Floresca recalls hardship, failures before 'Project Runway' Season 21 win

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'This means hope': Fil-Am designer Veejay Floresca recalls hardship, failures before 'Project Runway' Season 21 win

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 27, 2025 04:08 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 29, 2025 09:44 PM PHT

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Veejay Floresca

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