Model: Naomi Méndez. Photographer: Jose Andres Gil.
Naomi Méndez, Miss Universe Paraguay 2024, isn’t just a beauty queen. She’s all about purpose, confidence, and making a difference. From the Miss Universe stage to the STORM studio, she’s using every space to inspire, express herself, and help others heal. Naomi talks about how fashion can have meaning, why moving your body matters, and the tech changing how we feel and think.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam (HBZVN): Your credo is “beauty with purpose.” When the Miss Universe journey placed you under the world’s spotlight, how did it reshape the way you understand beauty and fashion as vehicles for social impact? Can you recall a moment during the competition when you realised your wardrobe choices were communicating something far bigger than aesthetics?
NAOMI MÉNDEZ: Stepping onto that stage with “Paraguay” across my heart turned every inch of fabric into a flag. Fashion stopped being decoration and became diplomacy — a living story of who we are and what we stand for.
For eight months, my team and I wove a visual narrative: hues drawn from our land, patterns echoing indigenous artistry, silhouettes inspired by the strength of Paraguayan women past and present. Each piece carried a message of unity, peace, and hope — threads of our national spirit stitched into couture.
Photographer: Jose Andres Gil.
The moment it truly hit me came during rehearsal. I caught a glimpse of myself beside contestants from every continent, and I realised my gown wasn’t just beautiful; it was speaking for millions back home who dream of being seen and heard. Later, fellow delegates called me the “fashion icon of Miss Universe.” That title mattered to me only because it proved something powerful: when style is filled with purpose, the world listens.
Beauty is not a spotlight for one. It’s a beacon that can illuminate many. My mission is to keep using fashion as the most elegant megaphone for stories that deserve to be told.
HBZVN: You are a recognized fashion icon. Who do you consider your fashion mentors? What fashion or cultural trends are currently inspiring you, and how do they show up in your projects?
NAOMI MÉNDEZ: My fashion icons are women who didn’t just follow trends —they created legacies. Coco Chanel, for example, wasn’t just a designer; she was a revolution in elegance, freedom, and identity. What inspires me about women like her is not just their style, but the way they marked history by showing the world who they were through what they wore.
I’ve truly come to understand this through my journey to Miss Universe. Fashion, for me, isn’t about what’s on the hanger or how it looks in the mirror — it’s about how it makes you feel, and more importantly, how it helps you communicate your essence. Every time you enter a room, you make an impact. You tell a story. And that story should reflect your truth, your values, your soul.
Model: Naomi Méndez. Photographer: Marie Bärsch.
HBZVN: You are the co-founder of STORM, a groundbreaking fitness studio built on the belief that “movement is healing.” While STORM uses manual bikes rather than high-tech equipment, the concept powerfully blends physical intensity with mental clarity. How do you integrate this philosophy into your classes and community, and what impact have you seen on participants’ mental well-being?
NAOMI MÉNDEZ: As the co-founder of STORM, I built this space not just for workouts but for transformation. STORM was never about the abs, the calories, or chasing perfection. It was created from the belief that movement is healing, and that the time we invest in ourselves—physically, mentally, emotionally—is the most powerful moment of our day.
The STORM community is made of brave, beautiful souls who show up for themselves and for each other. We sweat together, heal together, and remind one another that strength isn’t just how hard we push, but how deeply we feel and how courageously we show up.
It’s not about looking a certain way. It’s about feeling alive. And that’s what makes STORM more than a fitness studio. It’s a sanctuary. A safe space. A movement for the soul.
Photographer: Marie Bärsch.
HBZVN: What wellness-related technological breakthrough has impressed you the most in recent years?
NAOMI MÉNDEZ: I’m really impressed by how wellness tech is helping us optimise our bodies in real time. Wearables like WHOOP have completely changed the way I approach recovery, sleep, and performance. I also use the Oura Ring to track and enhance my sleep, and I’m obsessed with smart mattresses like 8Sleep—they regulate your body temperature and boost sleep quality like nothing else.
I focus on optimising my metabolic age through strength training, clean eating (high-protein, no alcohol), and walking 10–12K steps daily. Glucose monitors have also amazed me—they show exactly how your body responds to food, helping you make smarter choices instantly.
Now, with AI integrated into many of these tools, we’re entering a new era where you can optimise your health and even reverse ageing. Wellness is becoming smarter and more personal than ever.
Model: Naomi Méndez @naomi_mendez_
Photographers: Jose Andres Gil @joseandresgil and Marie Bärsch @marieb.photography
Hair: Qusai Nassra @qusssra and Nebras Troudi @nebras.troudi
M.U.A.: Jack Muscat @jackmuscatmakeup
PR: Say Media @say__media
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
