Worn Out Wednesday - Armando Cabral - The Manual

Today we speak to model slash shoemaker, Armando Cabral.

I was born in Guinea Bissau, and grew up in Portugal. When I was about 16 or 17 years old, my older sister was modeling and urged me to try it too. I attended a runway class with her and the coordinators asked me to stay. Of course, I didn’t know if they were pushing me to stay so I would have to pay or if I had potential. Soon after, I went to an agency in Portugal and was signed on the spot. Weeks later my parents sent me to London to study and that was where my career began. I started working there and was sent to Milan for my first fashion week. In my first casting, I was booked exclusively for Calvin Klein and Benetton campaigns, and from that moment my career took off. A year later I set my eyes on New York and moved to the city to pursue modeling as a full-time career. My big break was being named the face of Cloak. Shortly after, I booked the Dior Homme, Louis Vuitton and Thierry Mugler shows in Paris. Since joining the Wilhelmina team in 2008 I’ve booked Michael Kors, J.Crew Men’s and H&M campaigns.

People always say you should find that one thing you love, and for me it’s shoes. So in 2009 I launched my eponymous shoe collection, which offers styles for both men and women. The collection’s aesthetic is a fusion of minimalism with a classic approach. I try to create shoes that can be both on the go and evening wearable. So far, I’ve had a really great response to the collections. My shoes are sold at top retailers including Dover Street Market, Intermix and MrPorter.com. I’ve shown at New York Fashion Week the past couple of seasons, which has been a new experience for me, as I am usually on the other side of shows. I plan to be showing for years to come.

And now for Armando’s style:

Jeans: APC and Acne Jeans

Shirts: J Crew, and Dries Van Noten

Pants: Dries Van Noten and AMI

Suits: J Crew Ludlow’s and Dries Van Noten

Shoes: All Armando Cabral

Accessories: Love watches, I have few in my collection. Rolex (Oyster Perpetual Datejust, white gold), Longines (La Grande Classique Automatic) and March Lab (AM59)