Owner of PML, Zuboni Humtsoe. (Photo credit: Precious melove)
Renchano Humtsoe
Dimapur | June 2
Social media has evidently penetrated into the lives of Young Naga people. A number of amateur artists use various social networking sites to promote their talents while it is also a virtual hangout place for teenagers. Almost every teenager has a smartphone and a Facebook account at least, which is also the most popular social networking site among the Nagas. The several Groups by Nagas on the site serve as a medium for young minds to open discourses pertaining to the society while one can also use it as a source for local news.
Above all, it is an entrepreneurial platform for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs with low budgets, especially young fashionistas. Precious melove or PML, a clothing store for women based in Dimapur and operating out of Facebook is one such example. “Facebook has given us the perfect kick start to our dreams, a platform for us to show our talent and our passion,” expresses Zuboni Humtsoe, owner of PML. Started in 2011, PML caters to a diverse range of customers of all age groups.
It receives orders from major cities like Mumbai, Kerala, Ooty, Dehradun, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Northeast states. Orders come in from Australia, UK, Bhutan and Nepal, but “sadly” PML is yet to introduce overseas shipping. Meanwhile, the strategic giveaways it offers attract as well as engage customers.
PML has its own sets of young models and photographers also. “Our shoots are all done on a shoestring budget, but we give our hearts out to make each shoot a wonder and to inspire,” says Zuboni. True to her admission, the hard work that the all-girls team put in is visible on its page. The models don delightful makeup accessorized with creative knickknacks. The shooting destinations are varied and a “common passion” for style and fashion that Zuboni talks about is seen among the girls. PML with its collection of vintage to high-street fashion aims to “celebrate femininity, freedom and redefine fashion”.
In PML, Zuboni has also found equality and liberty. She relishes the competition which provides her inspiration in the social media platform and says social media is a “boon” for people like her. “Living in a world where only the rich or the powerful can get things done their way, ‘Facebook’ has been instrumental in giving people from humble backgrounds, like us, a voice and face.” However, she does not deny the challenges which come along with the fun of running PML. “We try to push ourselves more and more,” she adds. “We want to set the standards high and make a difference.”
A fashion enthusiast herself, Zuboni with her PML has been featured in various media spaces. PML according to her is doing “great”. “There’s so much demand and love for the things that we put up on sale that it is hard to cater to the demands since it’s only a small collection that we can put up every week.”
PML’s venture, small yet resourceful, could serve as an inspiration to many unemployed youth. It’s a reminder of how technology could change lives if put to good use. “God willing, we plan to expand more - open a website, start overseas shipping, start our exclusive design collection,” adds Zuboni.
