For those who had missed our introduction to Carol Humtsoe  back in 2016 (when we had just launched our site), meet fashion model Carol from Nagaland – the first Naga model to have been signed by Elite Model Management. We got back in touch with her to know more about her treasure trove of lovely vintage clothing and collectibles – that she sells under her brand ‘Carol’s Shop & Tea Room.’

We were especially intriqued by her ultra cool and rustic setting of the shop – complete with bamboo walls and wooden furnitures. Let’s find out more about her fashion venture, and what she’s been upto lately.

Model Carol Humtsoe from Nagaland chats with Roots & Leisure about her love for fashion, travel, vintage & collectibles, and how she brings all these in one space through her vintage store ‘Carol’s Shop & Tea Room.’ 

Photo: Carol Humtsoe.

• Hi Carol, tell us what you’ve been upto lately.

I am currently based in Nagaland, but I am still constantly moving. I am a traveler who models, and now I also own a vintage clothing shop. I have been travelling, modelling and hoarding clothes that I love.

• Ah lovely. Tell us more about your vintage clothing shop ‘Carol’s Shop and Tea Room’

My store is not exactly a store at the moment. We are building our new house and it’s quite in the interiors of Dimapur (Nagaland). It’s quite beautiful – it’s surrounded by nature and among paddy fields. I am putting things together in our topmost room which has walls made of bamboo. I am just trying this out at the moment to see if I could build it into a proper store in the future. Or once I put everything together maybe I will shift it to a better location. Right now I mostly sell through Instagram.

“At the moment, it’s more like a mock store which functions like a stock room to keep the clothes – and other items, along with a sitting space for about 4-5 people to sit. I sell vintage clothes – some altered & upcycled, jewelry, herbal teas, incense, singing bowls, lamps, oils, tea coasters, some furniture I got made, and some other collectibles that I’ve picked from my travels.”

A small corner from ‘Carol’s Shop and Tea Room’

A small corner from ‘Carol’s Shop and Tea Room’

• How did you come up with the idea? What’s the story behind the store concept?

I have always loved vintage clothes and I greatly appreciate the idea of upcycling and reusing. Particularly now, in these times of throwaway fashion when waste is slowly becoming a serious issue.

“I, myself, would wear hand-me-downs from my mom, my aunts and friends and from flea markets. I would get many compliments for those clothes and often people would ask me to get them some. Thus, the idea of a shop came about where I put together all the things I love in one place.”

Vintage Dress from ‘Carols Shop and Tea Room’

Vintage Dress from “Carols Shop and Tea Room”

Vintage Shrug and Top at ‘Carols Shop and Tea Room’

Vintage Shrug and Top at ‘Carols Shop and Tea Room’

• What influences your style?

Well, my style is influenced by places and people. I travel a lot and I take a little piece of all the places that I visit and people that I meet. I have never been rooted to just one particular place. But at the same time, I’m rooted to every place that I love.

Carol Humtsoe

• What’s the best thing you’ve learned so far?

“To be alive and happy when everything seems static is important. I have learned that you will only get what you deserve in life’s good time… Everything will make sense eventually.”

Here’s a peek into Carol Humtsoe’s ‘Carols Shop and Tea Room’

“My store is full of vintage clothes and collectibles that I’ve picked up from all the places that I travel to.” ~ Carol Humtose, Owner/Curator of  ‘Carols Shop and Tea Room’

Vintage Dresses handpicked by Carol Humtsoe for ‘Carols Shop and Tea Room’

Vintage Dresses handpicked by Carol Humtsoe for ‘Carols Shop and Tea Room’

Vintage Print Shirt handpicked by Carol Humtsoe.

Vintage Print Shirt by Carol Humtsoe.

Vintage Bamboo Collectibles picked by Carol Humtsoe.

Vintage Bamboo Collectibles picked by Carol Humtsoe.

Polka dots collection at Carol’s Store & Tea Room.

Polka dots collection at Carol’s Store & Tea Room.

To see more of Carol’s collection, follow her Instagram page.

Photo: Carol Humtsoe