Armando’s style in one word? Tailored. His dapper style pays homage to the glory days of men’s suits, infusing fine tailoring with bold colors and details, learned from his late grandfather, “Sunny Joe.”
“My north star is my late grandfather, Marion Payton who we called Sunny Joe. He lived his 20s and 30s in the 1960s and 70s in Chicago, one of the most exciting times for men’s suiting. My grandfather was a man about town, even though times changed, his style didn’t,” reflects Armando.
Immersed in the Miami arts scene, Armando Payton expresses his creativity and eye for detail through his patronage and his sense of style. As an involved committee member at the Perez Art Museum and MOCA, Armando’s influence in the community is evident in the power of his presence and the impact he makes. Whether he is championing stories of the community through art advocacy or speaking volumes through unique touches to classic ensembles, Armando is storytelling with style.
“So many things in our lives are out of our control, but we can control how we show up and how people perceive us, in professional settings and social settings. That’s really where I see the power of fashion, you get to tell your own story before you even open your mouth,” says Armando.
As Armando posed for the “Best Dressed” shoot, he amplified the work of Black artists he supports, including a shirt from Miami born Haitian artist Dimithry Victor and special edition Converse shoes from one of his favorite artists, Derrick Adams. Combining vintage pieces with high end ones, while integrating artwork into his wardrobe, demonstrates the creativity and ingenuity of an artist. Growing up as an artist, Armando went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Howard University, serving as the foundation for a lifelong passion of advocacy. As a real estate professional who champions the arts outside of his career, he encourages everyone in the community to contribute and support artists of color especially.
“Anybody can be a collector. You don’t need thousands of dollars to collect art. We have the responsibility to contribute to the Black artistic ecosystem. Supporting young artists, collecting their work, telling friends about it, showing up to exhibitions, speaking their names in rooms where they might not be present,” Armando stated.
Whether Armando is showing up for real estate deals or to celebrate local art and culture, he represents style, purpose, and power in the community. A striking sight in his clean pink suit and fedora paired with streetwear touches makes for a dynamic blend of both vintage and modern appeal. Inspired by his grandfather’s timeless style and tailoring along with the vibrant art in the community, Armando’s approach to fashion, art, and influence sets the standard in South Florida and beyond.
