Veejay Floresca Wins the Latest Project Runway Challenge—And Finally, the Competition Is On

Her winning piece—a lace-and-boning bodysuit with sleeves flirting with the butterfly silhouette—bordered on modern Filipiniana, a whisper of the terno reimagined for the global runway.

By Owen Maddela August 25, 2025

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The unconventional materials fashion challenge has always been the Project Runway crucible—where designers prove if they can spin straw (or mop heads, or car parts) into couture gold. For Season 21, Filipina designer Veejay Floresca did just that, turning shuttlecocks scavenged from a school gym into a minidress that mimicked lacework. Structured with white boning, the piece was delicate yet commanding—a sly nod to both craftsmanship and imagination.

By Veejay Floresco — ^{An unconventional materials garment that looks chic and wearable, not a science project. Floresca made it to the Top 3 with this white mini-dress made out of boning and shuttlecocks}

When the next episode called for a “companion” look using actual fabric, Floresca doubled down on the dialogue between fragility and power. She sent out a black lace-and-boning bodysuit with sculpted sleeves—nearly butterfly sleeves, almost a terno, and just shy of a full-on Pinoy pride fashion history moment. Filipino designers have long experimented with boning as terno, and Floresca’s gesture toward it was unmistakable. The result: sleek, elegant, and resonant. The judges thought so too—placing her in the episode’s Top 3.

But Floresca didn’t just place. She won. “Fragile but strong, unexpected, marvelous,” said judge Nina Garcia, summing up the garment’s appeal. Tears welled up as Floresca spoke about the win, sealing it with a line that felt both manifesto and prophecy: “If I work hard and be innovative, I can win this whole thing.”

This season marks Floresca’s second brush with Project Runway—her first was as a finalist on the debut season of Project Runway Philippines back in 2008. Since then, she has built her career in the United States, balancing bridal, ready-to-wear, and bespoke work while becoming a visible advocate for trans designers.

By Veejay Floresca — ^{The shuttlecock dress by veejay floresca}

Of course, half the fun of this season is watching Floresca off the runway. A charmingly mischievous presence, she’s emerged as the designated pot-stirrer—delightfully fanning the flames of competition with wit and sparkle. Add to that Law Roach’s polarizing critiques and Heidi Klum’s triumphant return as host, and Season 21 has finally kicked into high gear.