Crown & Compass: Andrea Valero on Becoming Miss Universe Spain and Redefining Luxury Travel

Andrea Valero | Miss Universe Spain | Luxury Travel 1

Born in Galicia and raised in Marbella, Andrea Valero embodies strength, independence, and grace. Educated in Fashion Business across Milan and Paris, with experience in New York and London, she built a global mindset grounded in cultural empathy. When Andrea Valero was crowned Miss Universe Spain, she captured the nation’s heart with her radiant poise and grounded elegance. But behind the dazzling stage lights stands a sharp young entrepreneur reshaping how we experience the world.

As founder of a boutique luxury travel agency, The Detailist, Andrea is blending her passion for culture, traveling, and exclusivity into curated journeys that reflect her own belief: that true beauty lies in discovery. We sat down with Andrea to talk about entrepreneurship, balance, and what it really means to live beautifully.

Jacket: Zara. Pants: Adolfo Dominguez. Headpiece & bracelet: Vese. Bracelet: Cartier.

Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam (HBZVN): Andrea, first of all, congratulations on your Miss Universe Spain title. How has life changed since that night?

ANDREA VALERO: Thank you! It’s been an incredible whirlwind. Overnight, you go from being a private person to representing an entire country on a global stage. But for me, it’s also been about responsibility; using that visibility to highlight projects I care deeply about, especially women in business and the importance of education at a young age to be able to be the leader of your own life.

HBZVN: You were already running a successful luxury travel agency before winning the crown. How did that journey begin?

ANDREA VALERO: Travel has always been my biggest teacher. I studied Fashion Business in Milan and Paris, then continued gaining work experience in New York and London. Living in so many incredible cities at a young age really opened my eyes to different cultures and lifestyles; and naturally, people started coming to me for travel advice. Friends and colleagues would ask where to stay, where to eat, or how to plan their trips, and before I knew it, that passion turned into a business. It all happened quite organically.

Jacket: Zara. Pants: Adolfo Dominguez. Headpiece & bracelet: Vese. Bracelet: Cartier.

HB: What sets your agency apart in such a competitive industry?

ANDREA VALERO: We focus on the small details that’s where the name came from, The Detailist. Luxury isn’t just five-star hotels. It’s privacy, meaning, and the small details that make a trip unforgettable. We design experiences that feel like they were created just for you: a private dinner in a lavender field in Provence, or a sunrise yoga session on a secluded Balinese cliff.

HBZVN: That sounds divine. How do you balance entrepreneurship with your role as Miss Universe Spain?

ANDREA VALERO: It’s a dance! Time management is everything. My days are carefully planned, and I have an amazing team who supports both sides of my life. But they actually complement each other: my travels as Miss Universe Spain inspire new ideas for the agency, and my business background keeps me grounded amid the glamour.

Suit: Sherri Hill. Bow, flower & earring: Vese.

HBZVN: Many people might assume beauty pageants and business don’t mix. What would you say to that?

ANDREA VALERO: I love breaking that stereotype. Intelligence, ambition, and compassion are as much part of beauty as elegance and confidence. The modern Miss Universe Spain isn’t just about looks. She’s a leader, a thinker, a creator.

HBZVN: As someone who curates “luxury” for others, what does luxury mean to you personally?

ANDREA VALERO: Peace of mind. Having the freedom to choose how I spend my time and who I spend it with. Luxury is a feeling, not a price tag.

HBZVN: Where do you see yourself and your company in the next five years?

ANDREA VALERO: I’d love to expand globally, collaborating with local communities to create the most authentic experiences. I want travelers to return home not just refreshed, but transformed.

Bolero: Bese Studio. Pants: Adolfo Dominguez. Headpiece & bracelet: Vese. Bracelet: Cartier.

HBZVN: As the founder of The Detailist, you’ve traveled extensively through the world’s most luxurious destinations. What are your thoughts on Vietnam as a travel destination, and do you have plans to visit soon?*

ANDREA VALERO: Vietnam is absolutely on my bucket list for 2026. It’s one of those destinations that feels both soulful and cinematic—the landscapes, the hospitality, the culture. I think Vietnam is still underrated in the global luxury scene, but its beauty speaks for itself. The jungle landscapes are breathtaking, and some of the hotels—like Amanoi and Six Senses—are among the most extraordinary in Asia. Beyond the scenery, I’ve always heard that Vietnamese people are incredibly kind and graceful, which makes the experience even more special. I can’t wait to explore it myself.

Andrea Valero | Miss Universe Spain | Luxury Travel 2

Bolero: Bese Studio. Pants: Adolfo Dominguez. Headpiece & bracelet: Vese. Bracelet: Cartier.

HBZVN: This year, Miss Universe takes place in Thailand, and you’ll be traveling there for the first time. How does being on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam tie into this exciting moment for you?

ANDREA VALERO: It’s an incredible honor to be on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam at such a meaningful time. I want people not only in Thailand, but also in neighboring countries like Vietnam, to know more about myself, my story, and why I decided to participate in Miss Universe. I was never a beauty queen. I’ve always been a businesswoman first. But I want to show other women that you can be anything you want to be. You can build a successful business and still embrace your femininity and confidence. A beauty queen is not just someone who wears a crown; she inspires others through her purpose, her discipline, and her story.

HBZVN: And finally, what advice would you give to young women who want to follow both their beauty and business dreams?

ANDREA VALERO: Don’t let anyone box you in. You can be ambitious and graceful, strategic and stylish. The crown is symbolic; but the real victory is defining success on your own terms.

Model: Andrea Valero @andreavalero
Male Model: Austin Miller @austinmiller___
Photographer: Fadil Berisha @fadilberishaphotography
Makeup Artist: Anabel Vargas @anabelvargasmakeup
Hairstylist: Klea Rama @glammedbyklea
Stylist: Vesa Gashi @vesagashi_mua and @vese.brand 
PR Agency: Marc Juan Comunicación @marcjuancomunicacion
Set Assistant: Adi Cena & Luis Calvo
Assistant: Emir Demhasi

Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam