Claudio Monteiro

Claudio Monteiro is a Portuguese model of Cape Verdean heritage who financed his own move to New York in 2009. Before becoming a recurring face of American menswear, he worked for Portugal’s postal service, saving enough for a one-way ticket to a city where he believed his career could develop.

Born in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents, Claudio had already modeled for ModaLisboa and appeared in television advertising. Once in New York, he contacted Armando Cabral, whom he knew from playing football in Lisbon. Cabral helped him find his footing, emphasizing patience and commitment as the work gradually arrived.

In a 2014 interview with Notícias Magazine, Claudio explained why the American market offered opportunities for Black models, saying, translated from Portuguese, “The market is bigger, there is more diversity and more clients.”

An exclusive runway booking for Calvin Klein in Milan and campaigns for Kenzo and Kenneth Cole established significant early credits. American menswear became a sustained part of his working life, with assignments for Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers alongside repeated appearances for J.Crew. His portfolio also developed through retailers such as Nordstrom, making him recognizable to shoppers as well as followers of runway fashion.

Claudio retained professional connections to Portugal as his international career expanded. For The Fashionisto’s 2018 story Fade Out, he worked with photographer Ricardo Santos and wore Portuguese designers Luís Carvalho and Miguel Vieira. He returned for Coastline in 2019, photographed by Celso Colaço.

His career grew from a practical decision to seek opportunities abroad, with New York becoming a professional base and Portugal remaining part of his fashion work.