Official Release: Watched by tens of thousands of spectators, the Life Ball MINI 2013 by Roberto Cavalli last Saturday marked its first public appearance on the Life Ball’s Magenta Carpet. With Roberto Cavalli behind the wheel and wife Eva Cavalli in the passenger seat, the Life Ball MINI 2013 formed the crowning conclusion to the costume parade that preceded the start of the show on Vienna’s City Hall Square. The Italian designer rendered the youngest and seventh model in the MINI family in his highly distinctive style – gold elements inside and out, iridescent paintwork that shimmers from black to brown depending on the angle of light and the use of his hallmark animal prints make this MINI Paceman an unmistakably authentic Cavalli creation. A few hours before its premiere, the one-of-a-kind MINI was auctioned for a record 150,000 euros during the AIDS Solidarity gala. The entire proceeds will go to projects helping to combat HIV/AIDS.
Creative car design for AIDS LIFE since 2001.
Since the beginning of the partnership in 2001, 13 unique MINI models have been created, with auction proceeds of more than half a million Euros flowing into projects dedicated to the battle against AIDS. Besides Roberto Cavalli, a whole line-up of iconic international designers have styled a MINI for this good cause, among them Dean and Dan Caten of DSQUARED², Renzo Rosso for Diesel and Donatella Versace.
Ralf Schepull, Head of MINI Brand Communications, was delighted at the sum achieved by this year’s Life Ball MINI: “We are very pleased that the one-off MINI has sold for a record price and can thus make a special contribution to projects dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS. The charity principle is an important part of the MINI brand, which enjoys a unique platform through this partnership with the Life Ball.”
Under its motto “1001 Nights”, this year’s Life Ball once again brought together numerous celebrities, including Sir Elton John, Hilary Swank, Melanie Griffith, Barbara Eden (“I Dream of Jeannie”), Carmen Electra, Bill Clinton, Anna Netrebko, Erwin Schrott and Fergie, to raise global awareness of the HI virus and its consequences.
<p>Wait, you mean all the commenters shitting on it for being “tasteless” and “ghetto” (or that it somehow is indicative of BMW ruining the brand) weren’t able to prevent this DONATED vehicle with DONATED aftermarket design from achieving a little good in the world?</p>
<p>Yeah, haters gonna hate, my friend. I’m disappointed at the reaction some folks had to this version of the Paceman. To me, the MINI is all about “you-if-ication”…it’s even in the marketing materials. I don’t see it as black or white, performance or style, you can only have one or the other, not both. I think that’s too narrow for a car company like this. The MINI has a broad appeal to people of all ages. The Countryman appeals to way more people than my Coupe, and even though it’s not my preference for a car it has brought more people into the MINI family, and that is never a bad thing IMO.</p>
<p>Frankly, I thought the Cavalli Paceman was a beauty to behold. He’s a top fashion designer and while that may not be the world most people live in, for those who are able to live in that world this car is a masterpiece. It’s all about perspective.</p>
<p>I think we might have to bring back the “comment of the month” award…</p>
<p>it’s a lot of look…. not for me but it was for a good cause. I much prefer the Dsquared one from a previous year.</p>
<p>Taste aside, any bespoke MINI is worth my appreciation as it reflects the billions of possibilities of what a MINI may be to an individual. That aside, is that a custom flask in the cup holder… maybe it should be on the passenger side.. you know, to keep it real.</p>