THE ARMANDO CABRAL COLLECTION FOR ALLEN EDMONDS

“YOU’RE WEARING A PART OF MY HERITAGE. THAT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. IT’S PERSONAL.”

In crafting this collection, Armando finds himself on a journey into his heritage, particularly his lineage from Guinea-Bissau. By incorporating pano di pinti, a unique social and cultural symbol, Armando reveals the diversity of his country and its people. There are two ethnic groups that are masters of this woven tradition, the Papel and the Manjaco.

“I WANTED TO HONOR MY MOTHER BY INTEGRATING THE WOVENS OF HER MANJACO ROOTS INTO EACH DESIGN OF MY COLLECTION. EVERY PIECE HAS ITS OWN STORY AND SYMBOLISM. EVERY PIECE IS EXCLUSIVE TO ME.”

“WITH MY NAMESAKE COLLECTION, I STRIVE TO BLEND AFRICAN ARTISANAL TECHNIQUES WITH BESPOKE ITALIAN CRAFTSMANSHIP, CREATING MY UNIQUE VIEWPOINT. OPULANT AND INNOVATIVE, I CELEBRATE AFRICA’S INFLUENCE THROUGHOUT WORLD HISTORY, THE PAST, PRESENT AND AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW.”

—Armando Cabral