Cecilia Morelli & Julie Leymarie

Cecilia Morelli and Julie Leymarie co-founded Mumbai’s luxury concept store Le Mill in 2011, converting an old rice mill in Mumbai’s off-the-beaten-path Wadi Bunder area into a modish shopping destination, complete with an in-store florist and organic café. Reminiscent of concept stores such as 10 Corso Como, Le Mill stocks a carefully curated selection of luxury apparel and accessories alongside a range of home decor and furnishings, specially produced by Indian designers.

In February 2013, the founders opened a second store in Mumbai’s upscale Breach Candy neighbourhood, though this location is now closed. In 2015, the original rice mill boutique moved to its current Colaba location. The pioneering boutique was one of the earliest Indian retailers to offer an eclectic mix of international designer labels including Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten and Balmain. By 2026, it was stocking Alaïa, Jacquemus, Loewe and others, alongside Indian labels Pero and Estaa.

In April 2026, Le Mill announced its sale to Mumbai-based retailer Burgundy Brand Collective in a deal expected to support expansion into other Indian cities. The French founders, previously executives at the company, entered into a consulting capacity within the business, with Leymarie continuing to lead buying and brand relationships and Morelli assuming a strategic advisory role.

After graduating from the European Business School ESCP, Leymarie contributed to the growth of the luxury division of L’Oréal, where she worked for over 9 years. Since her arrival in India in 2008, she has headed the marketing division for the company’s luxury products. She developed the retail distribution strategy and launched Lancôme, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Diesel and Kiehl’s in India.

A graduate of Yale University with a sharp eye for fashion, Morelli earned her stripes as a buyer in the luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman working with brands such as Prada, Balenciaga, Chloé and Saint Laurent. After moving to Mumbai in 2007, she lent her expertise to help launch the Vogue and GQ titles for Condé Nast India.