Model-Designer Armando Cabral Redefines Modern Furniture With Cultural Storytelling
When classic Swiss engineering meets West African storytelling, something truly special happens in the world of interior design. The Nkyinkyim collection, a collaborative creation between supermodel-designer Armando Cabral and the legendary Swiss brand USM Modular Furniture, is a striking example of how personal history can breathe new life into functional home pieces.
Built directly around the iconic USM Haller modular system, known for its steel tubing and chrome ball connectors, the collection transforms hyper-rationalist industrial structures into expressive living art. To soften these rigid geometric frames, Cabral collaborated with traditional Portuguese heritage mill Fabricaal, outfitting the furniture with vibrant, handwoven woolen fabrics rooted in the centuries-old weaving traditions of Portugal’s Alentejo region.
The centerpiece of the bedroom designs is the Mansa Platform Bed, which breaks away from traditional symmetry by extending the chrome frame into built-in, low-profile side storage. This off-center platform provides a clean surface for books and everyday objects right alongside the mattress. Paired with it is the Okinka Valet Wardrobe Stand, an all-in-one dressing unit that combines hanging racks, enclosed drawers, a full-length mirror, and a small integrated seat, turning daily preparation into an organized, serene ritual.
For living and storage spaces, the collection offers dynamic arrangements like the Nkyinkyim Bookshelf and Banu Credenza. Instead of standard grid shelving, the bookshelf uses staggered modules of varying heights to create a rhythmic, museum-like display for books and artwork. Meanwhile, the low-slung credenzas and Arkad side tables bring practical storage to living rooms, featuring clean geometric silhouettes softened by rich, tactile surfaces that ease the hard edges of the industrial steel panels.
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The seating pieces focus entirely on warmth and human connection, headlined by the Manjak Lounge Chair and the Bassarel Love Chair. The lounge chair pairs crisp steel framing with cushions upholstered in vibrant woolen textiles inspired by traditional West African weaving.
Taking interactivity a step further, the Bassarel Love Chair features offset, opposing seats designed specifically to encourage face-to-face conversation. By combining sleek modular steel structures with rich cultural roots, the Nkyinkyim collection offers a fresh, warm perspective on modern living through a versatile range of everyday furniture.
Via: hypebeast
