Wrapped in ornate, multi-directional striped fabrics, the cushions inside Armando Cabralit is new USM-The assembled furniture reinterprets the centuries-old weaving traditions of the Alentejo region of Portugal in a new way. Featuring a daybed, love seat, shelf, side table and valet closet, the newly expanded NKYINKYIM A CASA collection reflects the value of cross-cultural exchange and demonstrates how furniture can serve as a means of personal and shared cultural expression. For Cabral, a former top-ranked model and now lifestyle entrepreneur, the fresh offering in the Haller system is an opportunity to reflect on his own multinational upbringing.
Photo: Inês Silva Sá
Born in Guinea-Bissau, raised in Portugal, educated in London and now based in New York, Cabral’s points of reference are diverse yet inherently interconnected. The first word of the eight-track collection, ‘NKYINKYIM’, is derived from the Adinkra symbol (a visual language developed by the Akan people of Ghana and Ivory Coast) that represents the intertwined paths of progress and overcoming challenges, both as an individual and as a collective. “A Casa” is the Portuguese phrase for “at home”.
Photo: Inês Silva Sá
USM’s iconic Haller System reflects a hyper-rational mindset, which may seem without a clear cultural identity, echoing the ideals of post-WWI modernism. Ironically, the philosophy of combination, form follows function that the modular furniture solution embodies is emphatically Swiss: hyper-efficient and neutral. Despite its near-endless interpretations through USM’s many collaborations over the years, the Haller system still carries this complexity – which serves as a canvas for Cabral’s exploration.
Photo: Inês Silva Sá
“For me, the modular nature of USM’s designs symbolizes how each element forms a cohesive, functional structure,” he says.
Through experimentation with color palettes and asymmetrical compositions, Cabral worked within the boundaries of the brand’s signature system. The result is a collection that seamlessly integrates with other elements of the Haller system. In doing so, it pushed its usability and functionality even further. It is a kind of challenge for the viewer to reconsider what the furniture can achieve, as a whole.
Photo: Inês Silva Sá
For example, the Uno Library takes on the unexpected shape of geometric symbolism through its steel tube and ball-joint structure, accented by colored inset panels. Meanwhile, the Bassarel Love Chair boldly repeats the centuries-old typology in persona-à-tête. Two chairs are placed side by side while facing opposite directions to facilitate more intimate, gossipy exchanges. The collection balances both visual and practical features in a cohesive, playful yet sophisticated manner.
Photo: Inês Silva Sá
