A long supporter of the Life Ball charity gala, the proceeds of which go to projects combating HIV and AIDS, the Mini brand has revealed its plans for this year’s event that will see Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian VOGUE and UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development, designing a one-off Roadster model.
“I thought at MINI as a beautiful woman who put a scarf on her head when she drives a Roadster,” explained Sozzani.
The bespoke Roadster will be auctioned off in the Hall of Ceremonies at Vienna’s Hofburg palace as part of the AIDS Solidarity Gala on Saturday, May 19.
Since the BMW Group re-launched the Mini brand in 2001, the company has been a constant partner of the Life Ball.
Over the years, numerous celebrities including Joseph Corré for Agent Provocateur, Donatella Versace, and Renzo Rosso for Diesel and Missoni, have helped design 13 unique Mini models, the auctioning of which has generated proceeds of more than €500,000 (US$660,000 at today’s exchange rates) for the charitable cause.
Timeline of the Life Ball MINI.
2012 – MINI designed by Franca Sozzani:MINI Roadster by Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian VOGUE
2011 – MINI designed by DSQUARED².MINI Hatch by Dean and Dan Caten
2010 – MINI designed by Diane von Furstenberg, Kenneth Cole and Francisco Costa von Calvin Klein Collection.MINI Hatch by Diane von FurstenbergMINI Cabrio by Kenneth ColeMINI Countryman by Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein Collection
2009 – MINI designed by The Blonds.MINI Cabrio by The Blonds for Katy Perry
2008 – MINI designed by Agent Provocateur.MINI Clubman by Agent Provocateur / Joseph Corré
2007 – MINI designed by Testino.MINI Hatch by star photographer Mario Testino
2006 – MINI designed by Diesel.MINI Cabrio by Renzo Rosso
2005 – MINI designed by Versace.MINI Cabrio by Donatella Versace
2004 – MINI designed by Ferré.MINI Cabrio by Gianfranco Ferré
2003 – MINI designed by Missoni.MINI Hatch by Angela Missoni
2002 – Charity MINI.With autographs by German, Austrian and international celebrities(incl. Elton John, No Angels, Heidi Klum, Emma Sjöberg, Mavie Hörbiger)
2001 – camouflaged MINI. (Presented before its market launch)
PHOTO GALLERY
