Armando Cabral’s story is different, and his design influences are too. USM invited the model-turned-fashion-designer to reimagine the USM Haller system through his own lens for an exclusive installation.

Cabral was born in Guinea-Bissau on the West coast of Africa before moving to Portugal as a child. Subsequently, he studied business at London Metropolitan University and signed up with a modelling agency at age 21, going on to work for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Balmain, Dries Van Noten and becoming the face of J. Crew Menswear. More recently he started his own brand ARMANDO CABRAL, which is best known for men’s footwear, but has branched out into shirts and a fragrance too. He opened his first retail store at New York’s Rockefeller Center in 2022 and has recently shifted his attention to the home with the sub-brand ARMANDO CABRAL A CASA.

In collaboration with USM, he now created NKYINKYIM, an installation which sets out to reimagine home living through a combination of Cabral’s African heritage and contemporary design. The collection of custom USM Haller creations includes a bookshelf, an asymmetrical platform bed, a lounge chair, side table and, valet wardrobe stand. These are accented with key pieces from ARMANDO CABRAL A CASA’s collection, such as bedding, blankets, slippers and pillowcases. 

The exhibition’s name is derived from the Adinkra symbol NKYINKYIM, created by the Akan people of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, which represents the intertwining paths of progress and challenges. For Cabral, there are parallels between this and the USM system that allows the user huge flexibility. ‘The USM modular system, with its individual components coming together to form cohesive, functional structures mirrors the essence of NKYINKYIM,’ he explains.

The installation launched at the USM showroom in New York, coinciding with New York Fashion Week. Exhibition partners include rruka, fefo Studio, Amalia Home Collection, Nordic Knots, Alkemis Paints and Savoir Beds.

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