Armando Cabral keeps it going in his own way

The multidisciplinary designer has collaborated with Swiss home furnishing brand USM Modular Furniture on a set of stylistically sensual modular interior pieces. The dynamic collection bears the name NKYINKYIM, a centuries-old West African motif that signifies movement, adaptability, and resilience and celebrates Cabral’s roots.

Born in Guinea-Bissau, a small country on the coast of West Africa, and raised in Portugal, New York-based multidisciplinary designer Armando Cabral’s expansive dreaminess has always been anchored by his roots. NKYINKYIM, an Adinkra symbol created by the Akan people of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in the early 1800s, represents the notion of intertwining paths–the journey of collective and individual growth and transformation.

Cabral chose the philosophically charged West African motif for the name of the modular custom furniture collection he has created in collaboration with Swiss home furnishing pioneer USM Modular Furniture. Entitled NKYINKYIM, the fresh yet sophisticated interior pieces reimagine home living through the lens of the celebrated designer’s heritage.

As with all pieces of the collection, the NKYINKYIM bookshelf simultaneously amplifies the past and preserves it. - © USM — As with all pieces of the collection, the NKYINKYIM bookshelf simultaneously amplifies the past and preserves it. – © USM

The striking range is made up of a bookshelf, an asymmetrical platform bed, a lounge chair set, a side table, and a valet wardrobe stand in an elegant and sensual palette of bright orange, dark green, and black. The shape of the Adinkra symbol is reflected in the bookshelf, which effortlessly lends its form to USM’s modular construction–winding back and forth and standing on four main legs. With its extended headboard and built-in nightstands, the bed frame in pumpkin orange boldly elevates one’s private space. Cabral enchantingly reinterprets USM’s design vernacular to a semi-upholstered armchair in olive green accompanied by brown patterned cushions.

The Mansa asymmetrical platform bed is a statement piece that oozes utilitarian elegance. - © USM — The Mansa asymmetrical platform bed is a statement piece that oozes utilitarian elegance. – © USM

Cabral majored in business at the London Metropolitan University before being scouted as a model at the age of 21. He then went on to work for fashion powerhouses such as Louis Vuitton, Balmain, and Dries Van Noten and became the face of J. Crew Menswear. In 2009, he founded his eponymous brand specializing in men’s footwear, clothing, and fragrance. Most recently, the creative launched Armando Cabral a Casa which focuses on homeware by blending African influences with European craftsmanship, and opened his first retail store at New York’s Rockefeller Center in 2022.

The semi-upholstered Manjak lounge chair comes in olive green. - © USM — The semi-upholstered Manjak lounge chair comes in olive green. – © USM

For over 50 years, USM has been at the forefront of crafting timeless modular furniture for both domestic and business settings. The company’s tailor-made solutions can be continuously expanded or reconfigured as needed as each merges superior versatility and distinct aesthetics.

The Okinka Valet Stand embodies sophistication. - © USM — The Okinka Valet Stand embodies sophistication. – © USM

All USM product lines are made using high-quality materials that stand out with their strength and durability. In 2001, creations by the Swiss brand were officially integrated into New York’s Museum of Modern Art’s Architecture and Design collection garnering the status of design classics.

The minimalist Arkad Side Table expresses something stylistically exquisite. - © USM — The minimalist Arkad Side Table expresses something stylistically exquisite. – © USM

NKYINKYIM made its debut earlier this year as part of a group exhibition in New York that featured a thoughtful selection of pieces by Rruka, Fefo Studio, Amalia Home Collection, Nordic Knots, Alkemis Paints, and Savior Beds, alongside homeware designs from Armando Cabral a Casa, including Australian merino wool textiles, bedding, and leather slippers.

At their core, all components of the NKYINKYIM modular series convey a cohesive collision between functional structure and Cobal’s signature means of creative layered expression, composing a holistic luxury experience one is meant to enjoy and play with.

The NKYINKYIM collection is exclusively available at the USM Soho showroom and online.