2012 Life Ball Mini Roadster Designed

After teasing us with a single sketch in the beginning of May, Mini went ahead and presented the Roadster Cooper S designed by Franca Sozzani, chief editor of Italian Vogue, at the 2012 edition of the annual Life Ball charity event in Vienna, Austria. 

The one-off creation was auctioned off at the AIDS Solidarity Gala for €54,000 (US$69,000) to an unnamed buyer. 

Franca Sozzani envisioned a flower-theme for the 184-horsepower open-top model, which is finished in a bespoke matte paint color named "Deepest Purple" with gold racing stripes and accents on the wheels and exterior mirrors. 

The floral design continues on the car's cloth top as well as the interior, which sports printed leather surfaces for the instruments and brass-colored touches on the circular elements. 

“The concept behind the MINI customisation is inspired by the beautiful and elegant women who in the past used to wear a scarf draped around their head when driving a convertible,” says Sozzani, who is also the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development. 

She continued: "Flowers are a symbol of joy and life. And the Life Ball is always fighting for life and joy.”   

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