Pinoy Pride! Veejay Floresca Wins "Project Runway" Season 21

Filipino excellence once again reigns supreme as Veejay Floresca emerges as the winner of Project Runway Season 21. After weeks of stiff competition, the Pinay designer was announced as the winner by host Heidi Klum on the morning of Sept. 26, Philippine time.

Veejay entered the 21st cycle of Project Runway as an alumnus, having competed on the Philippine edition back in 2008. She placed third on her original run and eventually went on to establish her brand of bespoke bridalwear in the United States. Nearly two decades later, she reentered the contest in 2025 and went head-to-head with fellow returnees Caycee Black and Jesus Estrada.

Throughout the season, Veejay was praised for her "quiet" brand of elegance, showcased through her polished silhouettes and keen eye for design. She won the fifth episode, which was themed "Complimentary Couture," cementing her status as a strong contender for first place.

In the finale, she made it to the top three alongside Jesus Estrada and Ethan Mundt (known to Drag Race fans as her persona, Utica). The cards ultimately fell in Veejay's favor, with judges Nina Garcia, Law Roach, and Christian Siriano declaring her the season's top designer. With her win, Veejay earns a $200,000 cash prize, a mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and a magazine editorial in Elle USA.

As expected, congratulations poured in across the internet the moment Heidi announced Veejay as the winner. In just 24 hours, the designer became the third Filipino to win an international competition—following Jessica Sanchez's triumph on America's Got Talent and Kirk Bondad's Mister International 2025 crown.

Beyond being one of the first Filipinos to win the American design contest, Veejay also makes her-story as the first openly transgender woman to claim the title. Pinoy pride is at its peak!

We couldn’t be prouder. A big congratulations to Veejay!