Le Mill
Author: Anothertravelguide.com0 COMMENTS
Think the ambitious scope of Merci, currently the most striking concept store in Paris, times two... transferred to Mumbai. In its own way, Le Mill is yet another proof of the city's recent mad dash of growth, inevitably accompanied by all the typical features of urban hedonism: new art galleries, new restaurants run by some of the most brilliant European chefs, as well as the new building of Mumbai Airport, still under construction.
Le Mill is located slightly off the city centre, in the vicinity of Mumbai port - in other words, in an area packed with various slums and street stalls and populated by cows - more Slumdog Millionaire, not so much the glamour of the new India. Originally housing a rice factory, the building was later used as a warehouse for Chinese-produced toys. The time- and weather-worn façade has not even been given a fresh coat of paint and, were it not for the signs, you might never think to look for the current Mumbai style epicentre behind the tatty door of the former factory building amidst bicycles, cows, tangles of electric wire and other omnipresent accessories of the local colour. The first impression is shock: the sheer scope is truly awe-inspiring. It is a giant industrial space divided into separate areas dedicated to fashion, interior design objects, art and design books, a florist's, organic café; a stylised corner of children's fashion and toys is set in what has originally been an industrial container in the centre of the room. The selection represents the best of what is available in India, Asia and Europe in the niche catering to the gourmets of life. The atmosphere of Le Mill provides the perfect background for the range of goods on offer, encouraging to roam, browse, enjoy and be inspired by the things you see - even if you end up not buying anything. Every tiny detail has been given lots of thought here: Indian linen bed sheets and pillow-cases are individually wrapped in a tonally matching cotton cases with wood buttons; the accessory area features conceptual jewellery worthy of an art gallery. Most of the things are original pieces by French and Indian artists.
Le Mill is a realm of complete eclecticism in conjunction with harmony, with textiles from eminent Indian designers coexisting with Sri Lankan crockery, Scandinavian lamps and rugs from Jaipur. The fashion department is likewise a blend of Indian design (Savio Jon, Rajesh Pratap Singh, et al) and Western brands like the Olsen twins' The Row, French Les Fées de Bengale and American Derek Lam. A practical and useful detail of Le Mill scenography is the information provided next to each designer's name or section of goods. The ambition of the shop is to offer made in India quality in its highest and most contemporary interpretation: many of the things here have been produced exclusively for Le Mill and cannot be found anywhere else. Meanwhile, European goods have European prices - without the 20-30% mark-up commonly seen in Asian metropolises.
Le Mill is the brainchild of four young women - Julie Leymarie (32), previously of L'Oréal India; Aurelie de Limelette (33), an artist who, among other things, designs Hermès store window displays; Cecilia Morelli Parikh (29), formerly of Vogue India; and Anaita Shroff Adajania (38), the store's fashion consultant and the fashion director for Vogue India. In a way, the primary feel of Le Mill is indeed that of a glossy magazine instead of a store; in view of this it is definitely among the current must-see destinations of Mumbai.
Le Mill is located about 20-30 minutes' drive from Mumbai's historical Colaba district.
17-25 Nandlal Jani Road, next to the new railway bridge
Phone: +91 (0) 22 237 424 15
Open Monday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sundays 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
www.lemill.in
www.lemillindia.blogspot.com
02/2012
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