Zimbabwean fashion brand SOLEIL has released ‘Memories in Harare’, a deeply personal and visually compelling fashion film that marks the official debut of its Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear collection. The film is directed by TamuTheCreator and stars rising R&B artist Kyla Blac, bringing together fashion, music, and storytelling in a uniquely Zimbabwean narrative.
Written and creatively directed by SOLEIL founder Ropafadzo Mapira, the project offers an intimate portrayal of life in Harare. Rather than presenting a polished or romanticised version of the city, the film leans into its quiet realities, capturing fleeting moments, emotional depth, and the subtle rhythms that shape everyday life.
At its core, Memories in Harare explores themes of duality, memory, and belonging. Through Kyla Blac’s layered performance, the film reflects how individuals navigate multiple identities within the same urban space—balancing creative aspirations with corporate demands, public personas with private experiences. The result is a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Mapira describes the film as a long-awaited creative breakthrough. “I’ve been trying to make a SOLEIL film for two years now. It just never felt right… and then when everything aligned, it finally felt like home,” she said. “Not in a loud way, but in that quiet, familiar way you carry with you without even realizing.”
The film also serves as an emotional gateway into the collection itself. Inspired by Harare’s textures—from its bustling CBD streets to its layered social dynamics—the garments embody a balance of softness and structure, chaos and calm. For Mapira, clothing acts as an archive of lived experience. “Memories fade. But clothes don’t. They hold the feeling, the moment, the version of you that existed in that time,” she explained.
Beyond its artistic vision, the project highlights the power of collaboration within Zimbabwe’s creative sector. Featuring a collective of emerging talents across film, styling, and production, the project reflects a shared commitment to pushing boundaries and elevating local narratives. Mapira emphasized the importance of unity in creative work, noting that collaboration allows Zimbabwean artists to produce work with global reach.
Kyla Blac’s performance anchors the film with emotional depth and authenticity. Known for her introspective Afro-soul and R&B sound, she brings a natural storytelling ability to the screen. “It felt like an extension of what I already do through music,” she said. “More intentional, more layered, but still very true to me.”
Her involvement also signals a broader creative evolution. As she expands into film and other artistic mediums, Kyla represents a new generation of Zimbabwean creatives who refuse to be confined to a single form of expression.
With Memories in Harare, SOLEIL continues to position itself as more than a fashion label. The brand is emerging as a multidisciplinary platform where fashion, film, and cultural storytelling intersect. As Mapira envisions it, SOLEIL is “a storytelling world… rooted in culture and community.”
The release signals a bold new chapter for the brand, one that is grounded in Zimbabwean identity while resonating with a global audience.