More than a year after we first broke the story of a new Paul Smith collaboration with MINI, the curtain is being raised on their most complete joint effort yet and the largest offering of special edition MINI Cooper models ever. The new MINI Paul Smith Edition brings Sir Paul’s “classic with a twist” design ethos to the MINI Cooper. And not just one model but all four of them.
This isn’t the first time MINI and Paul Smith have joined forces. From the now-legendary 1998 Paul Smith Mini (with its signature blue paint and anthracite wheels) to the striped one-off that followed, their collaborations have always captured a sense of playfulness and wit unique to British design.
More recently, we’ve seen the minimalist MINI STRIP in 2021 and the MINI Recharged by Paul Smith in 2022, each exploring sustainability and simplicity through Smith’s lens. But this new production model marks a turning point. It’s not a concept or an art piece. It’s a real MINI you’ll be able to buy.
The MINI Paul Smith Edition will be offered on both electric and combustion Cooper models, including the three-door, five-door, and convertible form, and on both the Cooper C and Cooper S performance levels. However it’s worth noting that the Paul Smith Edition will not extend to the hottest MINI Coopers – the JCW.
Set to debut at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo on October 29, the MINI Paul Smith Edition distills decades of shared heritage into a new, modern package. According to MINI Head of Design Holger Hampf, “MINI and Paul Smith embody a shared mindset of positivity, embracing the motto of this edition: ‘Every day is a new beginning.’” That theme shows up throughout the car, in the details, color choices, and even a cheeky “hello” light projection when you open the door.
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| Statement Grey | Inspired White | Midnight Black |
| Inspired by the 1959 Austin Seven, bluish-tinted grey. | Contemporary nod to the Classic Mini Beige | Carryover from the current MINI palette |
The MINI Paul Smith Edition comes in three distinct colors, two of which are exclusive to the Paul Smith Edition. First is Statement Grey, which to our eyes looks like a light, grey blue. MINI tells us that it reimagines a classic 1959 Mini Austin Seven hue. Then there’s Inspired White is tribute to the original Mini’s beloved beige. For those who know modern MINIs, imagine Pepper White but a bit less cream. Finally there’s the well known Midnight Black, a deep, metallic finish that’s been in the MINI lineup for almost 20 years.
Regardless of color, all cars get Nottingham Green accents—a nod to Paul Smith’s hometown—applied to the side mirrors, grille, wheel hub covers, and roof (for one of the two roof options).
Where things get really interesting is the roof. On the Statement Grey and Inspired White, the roof is finished in Nottingham Green and Paul Smith’s Signature Stripe subtly placed just behind the driver’s door. For cars finished in Midnight Black, the roof is finished in alternating matte and gloss Jet Black stripes. The Convertible version sticks with a black soft top for a more understated look.
Our collaboration celebrates a mutual love for design and meticulous attention to detail. Unexpected elements, such as the ‘hello’ projection on the ground and Paul Smith’s handwritten inscription bring a smile to your face right upon entering the car,
Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design.
Complementing the exterior is a set of 18-inch Night Spoke alloy wheels finished in Dark Steel Flash, with new MINI logos rendered in a gradient of Black and Blue. Paul Smith’s signature appears discreetly across the rear handle strip—another subtle reminder of the creative mind behind the design.
Step inside, and the Paul Smith influence becomes even more apparent. The interior is both refined and playful, pairing Nightshade Blue Vescin sports seats with textile inserts that echo Smith’s iconic stripe pattern. The dashboard and door panels feature a knitted black surface inspired by his fabrics, while multicolor stitching across the steering wheel adds just the right amount of personality.
It’s not often that you see two icons of British design work together in this way and it’s wonderful that our partnership has carried on over so many years.
Sir Paul Smith
MINI has also tucked in several charming details: a hand-drawn “rabbit” graphic on the floor mats, Paul Smith’s motto “Every day is a new beginning” on the door sills, and a “Hello” light projection that greets you upon entry. The central round OLED display includes three exclusive Paul Smith backgrounds when “Personal Mode” is selected, blending digital design with real-world craftsmanship.
Paul Smith summed it up best: “It’s not often that you see two icons of British design work together in this way. The MINI Paul Smith Edition has been a real privilege… new colours and unexpected details that will be a welcomed surprise.”
This edition isn’t just another styling exercise—it’s the continuation of a creative dialogue that’s been evolving for more than 25 years. Ever since the first Paul Smith Mini appeared in 1998, each collaboration has carried the same thread: a celebration of optimism, craftsmanship, and a playful refusal to take design too seriously.
What sets this one apart is how quietly confident it feels. As we’ve noted before on MotoringFile, the best MINI designs are those that reveal themselves slowly. The Paul Smith Edition works in exactly that way. At first glance, it feels understated—almost too subtle for such a bold designer. But spend a little time with it and the layers begin to show: the tailored color choices, the textural contrasts, the perfectly placed accents that make the car feel considered rather than decorated.
Smith has managed something rare here. The car isn’t loud, minimal, or trying too hard to make a point. Instead, it strikes that delicate balance MINI and Paul Smith both understand so well—enough restraint to let the details do the talking, and enough character to keep you discovering something new every time you see it.
Adding a finishing touch, Paul Smith will release a capsule collection of bags inspired by details from the car, further connecting the two brands’ worlds of mobility and fashion. Look for them at Paul Smith stores and some MINI dealers in the coming months.
When we reported on this project back in May 2024, it was clear MINI and Paul Smith were planning something more substantial than a one-off concept. What’s emerged a year later is exactly that: a production car that captures the joy, humor, and individuality that both brands stand for.
It’s a refreshing antidote to the sameness that defines so much of modern automotive design. Will this special edition resonate with everyone? Surely not. But what MINI has done with this new offering is align with its English heritage, its storied past, and modern fashion. The result is that the MINI Paul Smith Edition feels personal, thoughtful, and distinctly British. This is MINI at its best, knowing how to make a statement, not by shouting, but by simply leaning into what it means to be “mini”.
The MINI Paul Smith Edition makes its official debut October 29 at the Japan Mobility Show. We’ll have much more on this new special edition model in the days including details on availability, pricing, and market rollout.
