FASHION
Veejay Floresca
Coming out of all closets and into the runways of America
■ ALLIE STEVENS & DOMINICK HILDEBRAND
Inset: Photo by Francis Gum Reach out to Ms. Floresca online: veejayfloresca.format.com
Veejay Floresca, the darling of Project Runway Philippines and New York Fashion Week, is a model for all trans POCs to pursue whatever dream they have. Born and raised in the Philippines (where trans people are still labelled crossdressers), she struggled with transition, even within the fashion industry, as she hid back in the closet portraying a gender inauthentic to hers while her work shined fearlessly in runways. While Carrie Underwood and Miss Universe Catriona Gray can attest to the craftmanship of this Filipina beauty, MXD uncovers more than meets a fashionista’s eye.
VEEJAY’S MESSAGE TO TRANS YOUTH
Believe in yourself and accept who you are. Let people know who you really are. Believe that you deserve respect. Always make sure that you remain calm. Don’t always argue and put up a fight. Choose your battles. Live your life with so much freedom and compassion. Don’t force people to accept you. If you always surround yourself with the people who love and accept you for who you are, you’ll live a life full of happiness and void of sorrow.
Being born and raised in the Philippines, what do you miss most about your hometown now that you’re living in the US? I miss my family, especially my mom, because I grew up really close to her. I miss the food. Filipino food for me is the best in the world! I also miss my friends. I have a lot of designer friends in the Philippines. And my studio in the Philippines! There’s just a lot of things I miss in the Philippines and I can’t wait to go back soon.
What took you so long to transition? How did you overcome those road blocks that led you to finally transition? Not a lot of people know that I already transitioned in college. I became a transgender woman in college for a year, and then I had to go back to living as a man. I studied Fashion Design & Merchandising at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde and during those days, I met a fashion designer that I look up to who actually became a mentor when I was still starting my career. He advised me that if I wanted a name in the industry, I needed to change the way I looked. I really felt that he was concerned about that because he really wanted me to have a good career. I took that into consideration and transitioned again as a man. He was kind of right because I got a lot of clients and respect from the people around me because whether we like it or not, that’s just how it goes. Twelve years ago, people looked at trans women very differently. In terms of career, trans women were reduced to a parlorista (hair stylist) and that you can’t be anyone else than that. Today, it’s very different for many trans women. There are so many trans women who are successful in their chosen fields. Filipinos now have a trans congresswoman, trans CEOs, trans professional models, fashion designers, and I think that in the next few years, it’s going to be very normal. I’m really excited and very positive about that.
You design very beautiful clothes for women. Do you have any plans to design for the non-binary market? I tell people that when I design clothes, I always design for people who believe in me and my craft. I don’t just design beautiful clothes for women, I actually do design clothes for men, for trans people, for LGBTQs, and for the non-binary market. If you are a person who likes my work, come see me. I’m very happy and excited to come up with something custom-made for you.
Which American celebrity you have dressed makes you very proud? It has to be Carrie Underwood. It was just recently when my dream came true because a very popular American celebrity wore my dress at the 2018 Country Music Awards. I couldn’t believe it when I saw her wearing my dress on TV. It felt surreal. I was so happy. I didn’t just design it. I made it myself, as well.
Considering that most trans folks change their given names, what inspired you to keep Veejay Floresca as your name? I am very proud about my name. Veejay is very gender neutral. If I was Mark or David (chuckles), I’d probably change it. I know a woman who has the same name I have. It didn’t bother me at all and since I’m a fashion designer, branding is very important. I work hard to make Veejay Floresca a prominent name in the fashion industry. My transition doesn’t mean I have to start over again. I want to continue what I started. Veejay Floresca is a beautiful name and I’m proud of it. I work hard to make people recognize my name so I’m not going to do anything to change that.
What can we expect from you in 2019? Expect that I’m going to be more serious about the business. I’m in the process of showing my collections for my bridal line. I’m launching my online store. I’m joining international fashion shows. I’ve been in the United States since 2012. Now that I’m done with my Master’s and established myself in Los Angeles, the next big step for me is to concentrate more on the business aspect of selling and launching my brand this year. I hope you will support me in my future endeavors.
Trans people need a hero now more than ever. As someone who stood up for your right to be acknowledged as a woman (and not called a crossdresser) in a recent bar incident in Manila, what can you tell young trans people who struggle to stand up for themselves? Believe in yourself and accept who you are. How can we expect others to accept us if we can’t accept ourselves? Acceptance should always start within us. If you believe you are a woman, a man, or non-conforming, let people know that. When we believe that we deserve respect, it will just come out naturally. We need to recognize our worth as a human being. We need to believe that we are here because we have a purpose in life. If we believe in these things, no one can harm us and we can always stand up against people who are against us. Always make sure that you remain calm. Don’t always argue or put up a fight. Choose your battles. Live your life with so much freedom and compassion. Don’t force people to accept you. If they cannot do that, so be it. It’s their loss, not yours. If you always surround yourself with the people who love and accept you for who you are, you’ll live a life full of happiness and void of sorrow.
