In keeping with the tradition it started in 2001 by allowing famous fashion designers to play around with its vehicles for Europe’s biggest AIDS charity event, Life Ball, Mini will once again reveal a special one-off model at this year’s happening. After established names like Gianfranco Ferre, Donatella Versace, Diesel and Calvin Klein got their way with the MINI, this year the honor has been awarded to DSquared².
The designer duo formed by Canadian twins Dean and Dan Caten have revealed the initial sketches of the Mini Red Mudder, created exclusively for the 2011 Life Ball event that takes place on May 21 in Vienna. Described by the two designers as an “absolute Mini must-have for men”, the one-off model will be auctioned with proceeds going to projects fighting against HIV/AIDS.
Dean and Dan had a similar experience with Mini in April 2010 when they designed travel gear for the Countryman. Now they embarked upon a project to make the Mini match their style.
“If we were a car, it would be rugged and robust. Our MINI ‘Red Mudder’ is an accurate reflection of that. With the maple leaf on both doors and the DSquared² logo on the front shield and wheels, this is unmistakably our style,” the design duo said in a statement.
Based on the Mini Cooper S, the Red Mudder features rally-inspired supplementary lights, a bull bar and protective gear for the headlights and rear windows. More details are to be released closer to its debut in Vienna. You can check out some of the previous Life Ball Minis here, here and here.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
