Le Soliel Est Mon Amour — Film, Photography and Inclusive Collections Launch for SS23
With the arrival of a new season and the optimism of summer upon us, we’re thrilled to unveil ARMANDO CABRAL SS23.
The season brings with it exciting news and brand developments, namely the launch of unisex sizing. Inspired by both our longstanding supporters and the new wave of customers we’ve met since launching the ARMANDO CABRAL Mercado in Rockefeller Center, we developed a new sizing system that allows us to embrace our entire community. As a brand that values essentialism, versatility and slow fashion, providing more options to the wearer while extending the life cycle of our footwear is deeply aligned with the heartbeat of the brand.
“When we opened our doors in Rockefeller Center, women were a significant part of our visitors,” says Amy Belledin, the brand’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We wanted to be able to say ‘yes’ when they requested a style in their size—we’re delighted to be a brand that includes everyone.”
In concert with this new direction, the brand kicks off the season’s launch with a breathtaking editorial campaign conceived in collaboration with Nataal Media. Shot and directed by lauded photographer Daniel Obasi in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, this short film and photographic series entitled Le Soleil Est Mon Amour (The Sun is my Lover) features the collection set against Africa’s creative and dynamic culture.
The film and images revolve around the Kizomba, an Angolan dance genre where connection and rhythm shared between partners takes center stage.
“Armando and I share a fatherland, Guinea-Bissau, so I’ve always followed his career with pride,” says Nataal Creative Director Marie Gomis-Trezise. “It made sense that we create a story that connects to our heritage through Kizomba, a dance form much loved across Lusophone Africa.”
The film’s captivating cast journeys through their day, from sea to city, wearing the latest ARMANDO CABRAL styles and looks from Nigerian and Ivorian designers.
Featured styles include the LISBOA Woven Lace-up, the BOLAMA Slip-on Croc Print Loafer and the BALANTA Slip-on Espadrille, among others. Soft woven leathers, contrast stitching, and a neutral palette of cream, caramel and black bring elegant, comfortable style to warmer days and long summer nights.
True to form, the collection effortlessly travels from day to night, beach to club, with elegance and ease. Visually compelling, the bold colors, rhythmic beats and sultry energy the film converge in a truly transportive piece that embodies the spirit of Africa and by extension, ARMANDO CABRAL.
We invite you to journey with us this season further and explore the collection, film and images at Armando-Cabral.com or at our Rockefeller Center flagship ARMANDO CABRAL Mercado, located at 70 West 50th Street.
Project Credits
Nataal Magazine @nataalmedia
Armando Cabral @armando_cabral
Photography, film direction Daniel Obasi @iamdanielobasi
Styling Daniel Obasi, Uche Uba @vcheuba
DP, Joe Penney @joepenney
Casting direction Stéphane Gaboué @stephanegaboue
Hair Bagaté Tatiana @bagatetatiana
Make-up Doueu Kiéla Michèle Annie
Styling assistance Cédric Akanza @franck_cedric_akanza, Gam Concepts @gamconcept_, Maono Ya Nafsi @maonoyanafsi
Make-up assistance Tanly Rachidatou Fatim
Camera assistance Wal Le Prince @wal_le_prince
Film and lighting equipment Tom Saater, Youssouf Ouattara
Music supervision Kalaf Epalanga @kalafepalanga
Music ‘Intro - Onda De Som’ by Sara Tavares @saracotiar, produced by Loony Johnson @loonyjohnson from the album ‘Fitxadu’
Executive production Armando Cabral @armando_cabral, Amy Belledin @amybelledin
Creative direction Marie Gomis-Trezise @mariegtee
Editorial direction and words Helen Jennings @hellojennings
Post production Studio Private @studio_private
Editing Louisiane Trotobas @studio_private
Colour grading Nathaniel J Cook @njc_colour @studio_private
Movement direction and dancing, Jarrel @dr.jay_Smooth, Rima Shelton @rima_shelton, Akrame @blvck_apollon, Azia Gogui @aziagogui
Models Buffalo, Marc Aganthe @angathe_marc, Lionel, Francky and George at Television Models @televisionmodels, Mathieu Bibasso @bibassomathieu, Marietou Yira @marietou_yira, Hamad Adeyi, Franck Livan @mr_menthole, Stéphane Avenié @iamavenie/, Yadi and Aliou Badra Faye @mrfaye11 at L'agence Model Management @agence.model.management, Stève Touré @_iam_steveee__, Mohamed Nda @mint_mohamed_225/, Al Siddiq Atiq Fofana @al_siddiq_atiq and Abdoul-Rahim Dao @abdoulrahimdao at Special Model Agency @_specialmodels_, Reine N'deye @reine_ndeye_, Famas @ramasofficiel1, Yann Seba @yannseba__, Ibrahim Liade @ibrahim_uade
Featured designers
Armando Cabral @armando_cabral
Abiola Olusola @abiolaolusolaofficial
Kadiju @kadijuofficial
Kente Gentlemen @kentegentlemen
Lagos Space Programme @lagosspaceprogramme
Laurenceairline @laurenceairlineofficial
Lisa Folawiyo @lisafolawiyo_studio
Loza Maléombho @lozamaleombho
Nyosi @nyosi.Brand
Olooh @oloohconcept
Orange Culture @orangecultureng
Oriré @orireofficial
Torlowei @torloweiworld
Thanks to Patrick Edouard, the town councils of Port-Bouët, Cocody and Plateau, the village of Blockhaus
Special thanks to The GLB Group