He appeared as a model at an early age and walked the world’s most important catwalks. Now, he is taking his first steps on the business side, with the opening of his first store on Fifth Avenue in New York. This is Armando Cabral.
How do you define your career in fashion?
I’m fortunate to have had a career at the highest level for more than two decades. A career that has given me so much in so many ways. When I started in fashion, I just wanted to do my job well and travel the world. But what I got in return was a career full of achievements that earned me the respect of my colleagues and the industry itself. It’s the same career that has introduced me to the world of entrepreneurship and footwear.
Can you recall a special moment on the catwalk?
I’ve had many special moments on the catwalks throughout my career. But the most recent and memorable was the last Dries Van Noten catwalk, in Paris, last June. It was a magical moment with so many people from the past together in one place. Having worked with Dries for most of my career, it was special to be asked to be a part of his last catwalk.
When did you decide to launch your brand?
I launched my brand in 2009 during a very difficult time in my personal life. I had just lost my mother and nothing made sense to me. To transform all that negative energy, I tried to do something positive for myself. I thought: I have a business degree in management, I love fashion and footwear. I started playing around with the idea and contacting people to help me and give me advice. Before I knew it, the brand was born.
Model or businessman: which role do you feel more comfortable in today?
I still manage to do both. But most of my time is spent in the business. I have reached a very privileged position in fashion where I don’t have to do everything. I can choose my works strategically.
You opened your first store in Rockefeller Centre and recently landed on Fifth Avenue and Sack.
What are your goals for growing the Armando Cabral brand?
The opening of our first store in the US, in the heart of New York’s Rockefeller Centre, was a milestone for the brand. Even better was our move to Fifth Avenue. It’s a step in the right direction in our expansion strategy and an opportunity to better serve our customers. The aim is to position ourselves in key markets, allowing customers to step into the world of Armando Cabral. The Fifth Avenue store reinforces our commitment to creating a personalised and engaging shopping experience that connects the customers to the brand’s rich cultural history.
How do you define your brand?
Armando Cabral is a luxury footwear and lifestyle brand known for its timeless style, comfort and quality craftsmanship, combining African heritage with European craftsmanship. We work with quality materials and cultural influences to create shoes that adapt perfectly to a dynamic lifestyle.
Although your brand has always had strong links to Italy, where you started making your shoes, you’ve recently started collaborating with the Portuguese footwear industry. Why did you decide to do this?
I’ve always wanted to produce Armando Cabral in Portugal. Unfortunately, I left Portugal in the early 2000s to study in London and didn’t have any contact with the factories in the north. Besides, my Creative Director, Rocky Zambrano (ex-creative director of shoes and accessories at Hugo Boss), joined us from Italy and knew the factories in the region. So, we decided to keep production in Italy for obvious reasons: efficiency in cost travel and access to the best factories. But although our first collection was made in Italy, I launched the brand in Portugal. This confirms my interest in producing in Portugal from the beginning.
However, my recent visit to the factories in Portugal was a real eye-opener and helped me decide to produce in Portugal. The long-awaited return home is finally happening.
What are your thoughts on Portuguese footwear?
Portuguese footwear is synonymous with quality, tradition and heritage. In my opinion, for many years there has been a lack of investment in marketing to promote it as what it really is. I think that, in the past, people associated Portugal with basic skills in footwear production at a low cost. This is the opposite of what we offer – quality, competitive prices and centuries of know-how. Thanks to APICCAPS’ great initiatives to raise awareness, our promotional efforts are bearing fruit.
What would you tell an American colleague about the main features of the Portuguese industry?
Portugal has a long tradition of footwear manufacturing, with know-how, tradition, quality and a unique heritage. This is a very attractive feature of the Portuguese footwear industry. That said, it’s very easy to sell the ‘Made in Portugal’ label to my American colleagues. We just need to do it more often to continue to raise awareness.
There are many shoes out there… what is your favourite style?
My favourite style is the loafer. It goes with everything and can be worn both elegantly and casually.