Inspired by Zanzibar and crafted in Johannesburg, the latest capsule invites wearers to dress with intention, presence and care.
In the fast pace world of fashion that normally rewards speed, excess and instant gratification, South African-based fashion brand Neimil is choosing something quieter in their latest collection – Pole Pole. Something softer. Something slower.
The brand’s latest release, aims to not keep up with trends or shout for attention. Instead, it invites the wearer to pause. To breathe. To dress with intention. Pole Pole —which means “slowly, slowly” in Swahili — is a philosophy stitched into fabric, shape and movement, offering this line a feel of being grounded rather than being rushed.
According to Neimil co-founder and designer Keneilwe Mothoa, the timing of this collection came from a moment of honesty. “We started recognising that speed was stripping the work of meaning,” she says. “We felt the need to pause, to return to intention and to create from a place of care rather than urgency.” Slowing down, for her, became a way to reconnecting with her purpose.
That philosophy took physical form during a journey to Zanzibar — a place where time feels gentle and unforced.
“What stayed with us was the gentleness of time (in Zanzibar), the warmth of people and the quiet rhythm of daily life,” Mothoa reflects. Those feelings translated directly into the design language of Pole Pole, resulting in fluid silhouettes, softened structure and garments that feel lived-in rather than perfected.
Pole Pole is fashion that moves with the body, not against it. It is described as pieces that sway, breathe and respond.
“Each garment holds a quiet memory from the journey,” Mothoa explains — moments and emotions captured without being overly literal.
Texture leads the conversation throughout the collection. “Texture came from weathered walls and woven surfaces,” she says, while colour followed sand, clay, spice and sea tones. Movement was just as important. “We wanted garments that breathe, sway and respond to the body,” she adds, ensuring ease and comfort without sacrificing elegance.
In an industry driven by constant output, slowing down for Neimil means doing less — but doing it better. “It looks like fewer pieces, thoughtful design, local production and an emphasis on longevity,” Mothoa says. “It’s choosing depth over scale and process over pressure.” Pole Pole resists the urge to overproduce, instead offering pieces designed to live long, meaningful lives in a wardrobe.
Craftsmanship sits at the heart of this idea of slow luxury. “Craftsmanship makes time visible,” Mothoa explains. “Through handwork, imperfection and human touch, it redefines luxury as meaning, not excess.” Each piece in the collection is handcrafted in Johannesburg — a decision rooted in honesty and accountability. “Johannesburg is home,” she says. “Producing locally keeps the work honest, supports community and ensures responsibility throughout the process.”
The collection also reflects a careful blending of Swahili, North African and Southern African influences. This was approached with restraint and respect. “The aim was dialogue, not dominance,” Mothoa says. “Allowing shared histories to inform the work naturally.” Even the decision to keep the name Pole Pole in Swahili was intentional. “Language carries history and meaning,” she explains, adding that it comes with a responsibility to tell the story with research, respect and care.
While the capsule was created in collaboration with Stella Artois, Mothoa is clear that the partnership was values-led rather than transactional. “Both brands value presence, craft and meaningful moments,” she says, noting that Neimil’s design language and storytelling remained firmly at the centre throughout the process.
Ultimately, Pole Pole is not about demographics, but about mindset. “It’s for people who value presence, craft and emotion,” Mothoa says. “For those who choose to move slower in a fast world.” She hopes the collection gently shifts how people consume fashion, encouraging pause and reflection. “To consider where a garment comes from, who made it and how long it will live with you.”
If Pole Pole were worn during a meaningful life moment, Mothoa imagines something simple yet rich: “A long lunch, a gathering under the sun, a personal milestone — moments where time feels suspended and enough.”
Creating the collection has also been a lesson for the designers themselves. “Slowing down sharpens clarity,” she reflects. “Restraint is powerful, and intuition thrives when urgency is removed.”
Pole Pole is not a once-off statement. “It’s the beginning of an ongoing conversation,” Mothoa says — one Neimil intends to carry forward. The message, she believes, is simple but powerful: “Move at your own pace. There is beauty, depth and worth in slowing down.”