Gabriela Isler made history last year by becoming the seventh Miss Venezuela to claim the title of Miss Universe, more than any other nation. This past Sunday she passed on the crown to another Latina beauty, Miss Colombia Paulina Vega. Prior to the NBC televised competition we had a chance to speak with Isler during a recent Macy’s appearance for Chinese Laundry, the official footwear brand of the Miss USA and Miss Universe.

Isler was crowned Miss Universe 2013 on November 9, 2013 in Moscow, Russia; she is the seventh Miss Universe from Venezuela and the third Miss Universe from Venezuela in six years.

HOMBRE: Now that you have given up your crown, how would you describe your experience as Miss Universe this past year?
Miss Universe Gabriela Isler: It has be a great year, rich in experiences, in culture. I’ve visited countries where I was charged with energy. Rich with wonderful food, rich in experiences where they treated me like a princess, and where I had the opportunity to work with different humanitarian and social causes. It has been an enriching year, that would be the way to describe it.

H: What have been the main highlights?
MS: The main thing has been to be able to represent my country, and to be able to bring smiles even when we are in a time of crisis. To be able to raise the name of my country for an entire year was the best part.
And the main event was to be able to have an audience with Pope Francisco where my humanitarian labor was blessed, where my country was blessed; that made of my year something spiritually amazing. I can’t ask for more. It was a wonderful experience.

Miss Universe contestants during Macy’s appearance for official footwear brand Chinese Laundry

H: What advice did you give the contestants for this year’s Miss Universe?
MU: I would tell them that each has their own glow, their own light. They should enjoy this contest. More than a competition it’s being able to shine. To shine with your personality, to shine for your country. So my advice was to enjoy it, to not compete, and to make many friends around the world.

H: Why do you think Miss Venezuela has done so well in Miss Universe?
MU: Many people say it’s the water (laughs). Venezuelan people are hard working, they strive to move forward, and Venezuelan women are like that. We are honest and devoted, not only to the organization, but to family. In a country of 30 million people, baseball and Misses represent all in our culture. When you go out and compete you are not Maria Gabriela, your name is Miss Venezuela so you are carrying the weight of the country on your shoulders and you prepare enormously to represent it well. We undergo classes of public speaking, makeup, hair; when we reach an international contest we are beyond prepared. You want to make your country proud and offer the best you have. I believe the dedication and the love we offer this makes us a successful nation, same as anyone who would do it.

H: Did you work directly with Osmel Sousa (president of the Miss Venezuela Organization, and head judge in Univision’s Nuestra Belleza) ?
MU: Yes, we work directly with him.

H: Well, now I have to ask you about him since everyone knows him for his work on Univision and Nuestra Belleza, how was it working with him?
MU: He is truly a character. He’s very special because on the surface he’s someone very tough, with dark humor and all that. But down deep when you work with him day to day, he becomes a mentor, an advisor, a person who is guiding you. In reality he is an expert on this, that’s why he has 7 crowns, thats why he has achieved all that he has. And the truth is that you learn a lot with him. The moment you get the mutual respect then the relationship is the best. We still call each other, we still talk to each other and he will continue to be part of our lives.

H: Being that you recently made a special appearance at Macy’s for the Miss Universe official footwear brand Chinese Laundry, what do you think of the new collection?
MU: It’s a very daring collection because it blends different prints, fabrics and textures. I saw a sandal that had flowers made of stones, prints, and also leather in the back. It carries the versatility of transforming a day outfit into an evening outfit. As a Latin woman I like that it’s super feminine; very comfortable and attractive. I like it. I always want to try on a different style.

H: Do you have any favorite designs?
MU: I’m very classic. I normally like the pumps that are very elegant and classic. Of the new collections, I like Kristin Cavallari (for Chinese Laundry). It has different prints, colors, textures. I’m more classic, but being in Miami one tends to be a little more adventurous.

H: Are shoes a good gift for a guy to give his girl?
MU: I think a woman will always be happy with a new pair of shoes. We never have enough and always want more. Chinese Laundry has a collection that is infinite. In their webpage you can find thousands of styles. That would be a perfect gift for a girlfriend. But the girl should pay because they say if you give shoes, things don’t go. So just make her give you a coin so you don’t fight.

H: What should he look for?
MU: He should really know very well the woman he’s shopping for. He should invite her to use the shoes with him. The shoes should be comfortable so she can wear them to go dancing, or if it’s flats, to go to the beach. He should create a special occasion and invite her to wear them.

H: Being considered the most beautiful woman in the world I imagine men would be intimidated in your presence, what advice would you give a guy to attract the woman of his dreams?
MU: Well, I have a boyfriend, but for guys who are looking for a girl I would tell them to be sure of themselves. When a woman sees a man sure of himself, sure of his personality, of his smile, of his aspirations; that is what attracts her. Beyond the physical and superficial things, it’s to see a man sure of himself, with a good sense of humor and the desire to move ahead.

H: What is your idea of the perfect date?
MU: I love nature so a special date for me would be to go to the mountains and have a spectacular view, maybe where you can see the city, or have a nice dinner and talk. I think the best moments are in the kitchen and then at the table where you can enjoy, you can talk, you can get to know the person; and much more if you have nature around you.

H: Why are humanitarian causes so important to you?
MU: Each year Miss Universe makes a commitment to social causes, but it’s up to the individual girl to choose a platform. I feel very blessed. You don’t have to do much, by simply giving a smile, by simply sharing your time with someone you can change the day in someone’s life, you can make someone smile. You can make a person forget that they have health or financial problems just by the simple fact of paying attention to that person and making them feel loved. That for me is the best. I feel it’s important because l believe in karma, and whatever you give God will return to you. And I am someone who cares about people, supports them, gives them my best. As long as you can contribute to change society, even little by little, I will be there and ready.

H: Whats next for you now that your reign has ended?
MU: I will be between Venezuela and the USA. I have thought about doing several work related endeavors as spokeswoman for different organizations here. In Venezuela I’m planning to begin a project on a social level.
Venezuela needs a little more love. Leaders who want to carry the spiritual and social movement forward. I would like to contribute my help to young girls and teenagers. Venezuela is number one in Latin America with teenage pregnancy. In Venezuela you are part of the culture and you can use your voice to do good things. So I will see if I can help teen girls live better lives.

H: By you saying that I have to ask if you thought about entering politics?
MU: (Laughs) Not now. I think that I’m still a baby in the sense of knowledge, to enter politics you have to be well prepared. I don’t dismiss it from my list. But I would like to begin with social causes, and see if I like it. We’ll see.

H: Whats the best advice your parents gave you?
MU: They gave me many, but perhaps to be consistent. They always told me that it didn’t matter what people said, all the obstacles didn’t matter. To have discipline and consistency. To put my heart into everything and I would make all my dreams come true, and they weren’t wrong. Mom always forced me to believe in myself. And with love, dedication and believing in myself, God willing, I’ve always achieved all that I’ve wanted.