Kuki Sanban: The Art of Storytelling Through Fashion

Kuki Sanban: The Art of Storytelling Through Fashion

In a world where creativity often demands categorization, Kuki Sanban refuses to be placed in a box. A visual artist, model, and fashion designer, she is a storyteller at heart, using every medium at her disposal to craft narratives that inspire, empower, and heal. Her brand, Soleil, is not just about clothing—it’s about transformation, identity, and resilience.

From a young age, Kuki was drawn to the world of visual arts. As a child, she spent hours drawing, never content to stay within the lines, always seeking to create something uniquely her own. This passion for self-expression followed her into high school, where she found herself captivated by fashion. Watching her aunt bring garments to life in her home studio ignited something deep within her, and soon, she was interning at a fashion house, learning the intricacies of design.

But fashion, for Kuki, was never just about aesthetics. It was about storytelling. Her experience as a model gave her an insider’s perspective on how clothing should move, feel, and empower. Her background in visual arts taught her that every piece should tell a story. And through Soleil, she brought all these elements together to create a brand that is as much about soul as it is about style.

The name Soleil, meaning “sun” in French, is no coincidence. Kuki envisions her brand as a beacon of hope, warmth, and illumination. In a world where fashion can sometimes feel exclusive and unattainable, Soleil seeks to be a home—a space where individuality, sustainability, faith, and mental wellbeing are celebrated.

Her approach to design is deeply intentional. She doesn’t just create clothes; she creates experiences. Every piece is crafted with the goal of making the wearer feel seen, heard, and valued. To Kuki, fashion should not only make you look good—it should also make you feel good and do good.

Kuki’s most recent collection, Forests and Fairies, is perhaps her most personal work yet. Created in the wake of a particularly challenging year, the collection was born from a deep need for healing. As 2024 drew to a close, she found herself struggling with mental wellness, searching for a way to process her emotions. Fashion became her therapy.

Through Forests and Fairies, Kuki tells a story of self-love, resilience, and the power of art in mental healing. The collection serves as a reminder that our worth is not defined by external circumstances or the perceptions of others. Instead, it lies in our ability to love ourselves, embrace our journey, and find strength in the face of adversity.

With every piece in the collection, she challenges the fashion industry to move beyond surface-level beauty. She wants people to understand that what they wear can be a source of strength—a daily reminder that they are powerful, valuable, and worthy.

One of Kuki’s greatest strengths as a designer is her refusal to be limited to a single discipline. She is not just a designer. She is not just a model. She is not just a visual artist. She is all these things and more, and each skillset informs the other.

Her work as a model gives her an unparalleled understanding of the relationship between clothing and movement. Her background in visual arts allows her to approach design with a meticulous eye for detail and storytelling. Her experience as a designer ensures that every piece she creates is not just wearable but also deeply meaningful.

For Kuki, these roles are not separate—they are interconnected. They allow her to push boundaries, challenge norms, and redefine what fashion can be.

Being a creative in Zimbabwe comes with its own set of challenges, and Kuki has faced them head-on. While limited resources are often a struggle, she finds that the biggest obstacle is the lack of support for female creators. Women in the industry often have to work twice as hard to be recognized, and local artists as a whole face an uphill battle in getting their work valued at its true worth.

Yet, despite these struggles, Kuki remains committed to her craft. She believes in the power of Zimbabwean creativity and is determined to showcase its beauty to the world. By continuing to produce high-quality, meaningful work, she hopes to inspire a new generation of artists and designers to dream boldly and refuse to settle for less than they deserve.

At its core, Soleil is about empowerment. Every piece is designed to remind the wearer of their strength, beauty, and individuality. Kuki’s vision for her brand is rooted in inclusivity, body positivity, and mental wellness. She wants fashion to be a tool for confidence-building, not insecurity.

“When you wear Soleil,” she says, “I hope you feel seen, heard, and valued. I hope you feel inspired to be your authentic self, without apology or pretension.”

2025 promises to be a transformative year for Soleil. Expanding beyond its signature one-of-one and limited-edition creations, the brand is launching Soleil Basics—a line designed to make high-quality fashion accessible to more people.

The first step? A stunning collection of tote bags launching this week, followed by a pop-up event later this month. These pieces represent Soleil’s signature aesthetic—functional, versatile, and effortlessly chic. As the brand grows, Kuki’s mission remains unchanged: to create fashion that is not only beautiful but also deeply meaningful.

Kuki Sanban is more than a designer. She is a storyteller, a visionary, and a force to be reckoned with in the Zimbabwean creative scene. Through Soleil, she is proving that fashion can be more than just fabric and stitches—it can be a movement, a message, and a form of healing.

As she continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a creative, one thing is clear: her light is only getting brighter.

Follow Kuki Sanban and Soleil’s journey:

Instagram: @kuki.sanban

Let’s celebrate Zimbabwean creatives and support homegrown talent that dares to dream beyond the ordinary.