Project Runway crowns first ever transgender winner: ‘That’s mother!’
Veejay Floresca is the first ever trans person to win Project Runway. (Getty)
Veejay Floresca is the first ever trans person to win Project Runway. (Getty)
Fashion design reality series Project Runway has crowned its first ever transgender winner in its 21-year history.
In the finale episode of season 21, which aired on Freeform on 25 September, judges Heidi Klum, Nina García, and Law Roach declared Veejay Floresca as the winner.
Apparel designer Floresca is both the first ever transgender person to win a season of Project Runway, and the first Filipino winner. She first appeared on Project Runway Philippines season one back in 2008, where she placed third, and was also a contestant in the Miss Trans Star International 2022 pageant.
She beat off stiff competition from season 21’s two other finalists, Jesus Estrada and Ethan Mundt, the latter of whom is best known as Utica from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13.
Veejay Floresca makes history as the first Trans and first Filipina winner of Project Runway 🥹 pic.twitter.com/BkwHRrsZr1
— marv (@mvn_dn) September 26, 2025
The finale began with the elimination of Belania Daley and Antonio Estrada, before the three remaining finalists were tasked with producing a fashion collection consisting of five looks.
Floresca wowed the judges with her collection of metallic looks, including a striking chainmail gown, while Estrada and Mundt – who created a bold, pink collection and gothic, drag-inspired collection respectively – were dealt slightly harsher criticism.
At the end of proceedings, Klum declared Veejay Floresca as the season’s winner, landing her a whopping $200,000 prize.
The designer also won a spread in Elle magazine, half a year’s representation by Agentry PR and mentorship from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Floresca wept as Klum announced her as the winner, and later said that it was her “goal” to be the first trans winner of Project Runway.
Our very own Veejay Floresca just won #ProjectRunway and now has Php11.6+ Million, a mentorship program from "the" CFDA, and a spread on Elle Magazine on her bag. That's mother. 😭 🇵🇭 💅🏻 pic.twitter.com/Axs97ypEb5
— Pope (@PopeChromaticus) September 26, 2025
“I’ve seen you, Heidi, since season one, just a little gay boy in the Philippines watching the show, and I’ve always been wanting to do this. Now this is my time, so thank you. Thank you for being part of my dream,” she said through tears.
“I came here with the goal to be the first trans woman to win this competition, and I think that will really inspire my community that you can actually reach your dreams by being who you are.”
In a 2015 interview, Floresica manifested her Project Runway win, telling her interviewer: “I wanna be known to be the first transgender designer who will win Project Runway US! Haha.”
Fans of the show have called Floresca’s win richly deserved, with one viewer writing: “Let’s be real Veejay carried the whole entire show on her back. She’s TV gold, pure entertainment and a true designer!”
“Veejay being the first trans woman to win Project Runway, Mom we love you,” wrote a second.
A third gushed: “Veejay winning this season was totally unexpected!! Her collection was really cohesive and well-designed! Proud of her for making history as a trans woman!”
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