Zimbabwean fashion label SOLEIL has unveiled Memories in Harare, a deeply personal and visually compelling fashion film that marks the official release of its Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear collection. Directed by TamuTheCreator and starring rising R&B artist Kyla Blac, the film offers an intimate and reflective portrait of life in Zimbabwe’s capital.
By Plot Mhako
Written and creatively directed by SOLEIL founder Ropafadzo Mapira, Memories in Harare moves through the city with a quiet sensitivity, capturing fleeting moments, nostalgia, and the emotional rhythm that connects people across different lived experiences. At its core, the film explores themes of duality, memory, and belonging, reflecting how individuals navigate parallel identities within the same urban space.
“I’ve been trying to make a SOLEIL film for two years now. It just never felt right… and then when everything aligned, it clicked,” Mapira said. “I needed it to feel like home, in a quiet, familiar way.”
The film also serves as an emotional gateway into the collection itself. Inspired by Harare’s texturesfrom its bustling CBD to the subtle interplay of ambition and everyday life the garments balance softness and structure, mirroring the contrasts of the city.
“Memories fade. But clothes don’t,” Mapira explains. “They archive us.”
Rather than romanticising Harare, the film embraces its authenticity, focusing on in-between moments and the emotional weight of daily life. The result is a narrative that feels both deeply local and universally resonant.
A key strength of the project lies in its collaborative spirit, bringing together a new generation of Zimbabwean creatives. Mapira emphasised the importance of collective effort in building a stronger creative industry: “When we come together properly, we make better work work that can travel.”
Kyla Blac delivers a grounded and emotionally rich performance, bridging music and fashion in a way that reinforces SOLEIL’s multidisciplinary vision. “It felt natural,” she said. “Film pushed me to be more intentional with storytelling, and I loved that challenge.”
With Memories in Harare, SOLEIL continues to position itself beyond fashion as a storytelling platform rooted in culture, identity, and creative expression signalling a bold new chapter for the brand on both local and global stages.
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