
Mother Stories
Pregnancy Style: Model Mama Krystle Wilson
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Belathée Photography
Jan 21, 2016
There’s no doubt about it, Krystle Wilson has got “the glow.” Of course, her crazy good genes might have something to do with that. Wife to fellow model and shoe designer Armando Cabral and mama to almost 3-year-old Lukas, with a baby girl on the way, the young mother has a lot to sparkle about. Here, we catch up with the talented lady (did we mention she’s a fashion designer, too?!) in the couple’s colorful Brooklyn home, as she spills the beans on modeling and motherhood, pregnancy style, and her new baby-geared product line.
- "We live in a two-family home in Brooklyn built in the 1920s. We’ve only been here for 6 months. We love that it’s a detached home, which means we get tons of light from all sides, which is rare in NYC. It’s been gut renovated, so we love all the new luxuries with those touches of sweet charm and character only an old home can give you."
- A beautiful photo wall filled with personal and professional pics.
- "We both gravitate toward classic contemporary design with a touch of modern influences. It’s a balancing act making the two styles work together. It pretty much reflects who we are, young adults with old souls." Krystle wears a M.I.H. Jeans dress, Armando Cabral Jetset slippers, and Astley Clarke bracelets.
- Great genes.
- Lukas and his father Armando Cabral, a model and shoe designer.
- Father-son love.
- "As a growing family, our decorating philosophy revolves around function and comfort. It is important to us to have pieces that are not just beautiful."
- "My favorite furniture pieces are my night stands in our bedroom. They are sentimental to me because they are family heirlooms. I sanded and painted them myself to give them a much needed facelift."
- Astley Clarke bracelets.
- "We are okay with toys throughout the house, as long as they have a home to go back to. In our living room we have baskets for his toys, so when Lukas is done playing, he can put them away. He’s surprisingly really good at putting his toys back in place! He also has a playroom upstairs that houses the majority of his toys, so it’s just a few toys spread throughout the house."
- Little rock star.
- "Becoming a mom has given me a stronger sense of self and confidence. It has pushed me to combat my fears and just get things done. On the down side, I have lost so much 'me time.' I’m learning the juggle, so I’m hoping to include more 'me time' in my routine soon."
- "The biggest surprise has to be that motherhood did not affect my modeling career in a negative way and we still get to travel quite a bit."
- "His full name is Lukas Valentim Cabral. We chose Lukas because we figured it would be a great name for a multi-national child. In Portuguese (Armando is from Portugal), It sounds exactly the same as it does in English. His middle name is Valentim, named after Armando’s father."
- "Watching our family grow."
- "The country being divided about race relations and gun laws makes me nervous about raising our son here."
- "Lukas room is pretty much a display case for his artwork and trinkets from our family travels."
- "His bookshelf! I painted the wall and put up the shelves myself. It was a fun project and I’m thrilled at the result. I’m a DIY addict. Armando shakes his head whenever he sees me pulling out my power tools, like, ‘What are you working on next?!’ Another favorite in his room is the painting above his dresser drawer. Armando bought it from Tracy Morgan, a set designer from J.Crew who is also a painter."
- “Not really, my mom is a baby nurse and she has loads of experience, so when I need advice I turn to her."
- "Lukas is pretty sharp and cleaver for a 2-year-old. He shocks people all the time with what he knows. He has a bright personality, he’s really fun to be around, and can be pretty silly when the mood strikes. He’s obsessed with trains, loves to make artwork, play soccer, and is a Lego fanatic."
- Tiny hero.
- Heart break.
- “It definitely involves something fun or new. We both enjoy adventure! When the weather is nice we love to go to the park to play soccer or t-ball and enjoy a picnic for lunch. If the weather is not so nice, a perfect day would probably be spent checking out trains at the Transit Museum along with a little running around at an indoor play gym.”
- "You don’t need half the stuff they try to sell you and choose to breastfeed if you are able to."
- In bloom.
- "Michelle Obama, Gisele Bundchen, and Lela Rose.” Krystle wears an Enza Costa tee, Tiger of Sweden cardigan, J.Crew maternity jeans, Astley Clarke bracelets and necklace, Hermes and Giles & Brothers bracelets.
- Rings and things.
- "This time around I’m sporting radiant skin that so many pregnant mothers boast about. Last time my skin wasn't so lucky. My energy is a bit lower this time around, since I have a fuller schedule and a toddler to run after."
- "Yummy crepes at Le Paris Dakar, sweet tooth fix at Dough, great grab-and-go lunches at Choice Market, french toast at Ici, movies at BAM Rose Theatre."
- “Pretty classic. I live in good basics in neutral colors, while injecting other parts of my personality into the mix by pairing those neutral pieces with bright colored accessories. Of course, some days I prefer roomier tomboy styles, while other days I opt for a super sexy look, but throughout all those styles, I try to keep it understated and effortless. My style hasn’t really changed much after becoming a mother." Clutches by Les Petits Joueurs.
- "Right now I’m living in my J. Crew toothpick maternity jeans, Iro oversized sweaters, Armando Cabral Elke sneakers, and Stewart Weitzman Lowland boots. I also feel naked if I leave the house without my Astley Clarke necklace around my neck."
- "I wish I could get into online shopping, It’s just not the same. I like the experience of shopping the stores, feeling the clothes, trying it on, and falling in love with it."
- "Since I have sensitive skin, I like to keep things simple. I use Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Daily Scrub, NARS Hydrating Toner, Fresh black tea eye cream, and Cetaphil daily moisturizer. At night I use Bobbi Brown Repair Moisture Cream. And I'm completely lost without my Rosebud Salve lib balm. If I forget it, I will literally go back to get it before I start my day. As for makeup, I keep things pretty natural. My skin is constantly under makeup for work, so when I'm not working, the most I'm wearing is a touch of foundation (my fave is Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick), Lancome Hypnose mascara, and lipstick (I'm either wearing iridescent copper pink by Make Up Forever or Ruby Woo by MAC)."
- "My typical wellness routine includes running about 4 miles a week, a cycling class twice a month, and some yoga in between. Now that I'm expecting, I do prenatal yoga and try to stay as active as possible."
- "Spend more quality time with my extended family and friends." Throw pillows by Origins by Nasozi.
- "I am a fashion model and designer."
- "I grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. After high school, I moved to Miami to pursue a degree in fashion design at Miami International University of Art and Design. Two years into my studies, I decided to leave school to work as a model full-time, as my career began to take off. Modeling has given me the opportunity to work for incredible clients and live in several countries around the world, from Paris to South Africa. In 2010 I decided to study again and received a Credit Certificate in Patternmaking at FIT. During that time I met Armando while he was in the early stages of building his brand. I began working with him, assisting in design, sales, and just about anywhere else he needed an extra hand. In 2014, after signing with Trump Models, my hands became full with a heavy modeling schedule. Now that I am expecting, I have more free time to spend with Lukas and devote to developing my line of baby swaddles."
- "I’m more selective of the jobs I choose to do and try to make work trips as short as possible."
- "I manage it by trying to be as organized as possible and having my amazing mother by my side. She is Lukas’ nanny and pretty much my right hand. She’s my secret weapon to being able to to all that I do.”
- "Is not easy juggling the two at times, as I'm constantly traveling. I love spending time with him and do it as much as I can when I'm home. He's into soccer and basketball like me, which makes it perfect for the two of us. While away, Skype and FaceTime is how I keep close to him."
- "We have been traveling with Lukas since when he was 3 months old. Now that he's getting older, the key is keeping him entertained. Before our trip we always download new apps for the iPad, get him a new travel toy, and coloring books to keep him excited and entertained."
- "I love the flexibility of my schedule. I usually have a few days a week where I’m not modeling that I spend working on our business or spend hanging with Lukas."
- "Some of my go-to’s are curry chicken, spaghetti bolognese, and seared steak with veggies and potatoes."
- "I love the flexibility of my schedule. I usually have a few days a week where I’m not modeling that I spend working on our business or spend hanging with Lukas."
- "I am looking forward to tapping into my entrepreneurial side by launching my line of swaddling blankets."
- "I grew up in Brooklyn, so raising my son in my hometown is special to me. Brooklyn has so many cool activities for him to do, so we get a kick out of trying new things often."
- "Armando and I are up by 7 a.m. and alternate making breakfast, then we plan our day as a family and work wise. My mom usually arrives by 8 a.m. By that time I'm making my way out the door to work if I'm shooting or going to see clients for castings. We do our best to have dinner as a family every night, then share our day stories with each other. We play with Lukas before bed time and then start winding down for bed, with bath and story time. For favorite spots: The best pizza is at Saraghina, we have family friendly dinners at Alice’s Arbor, picnics and playtime in Fort Greene Park, animal watching at Prospect Park Zoo, making cool art projects at Brooklyn Art Hive, imaginative play time at Twinkle, and any MTA train station where he can watch the trains go by is great!"
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