Donatella Versace designed an exclusive MINI, which will premiere at the Aids charity event on May 21st, 2005.

Vienna/Munich. Once again Vienna becomes the hot spot for international celebrities this weekend. The Life Ball revels its 13th anniversary at the Vienna town hall this year, while MINI is supporting the event for the fifth time, giving a positive impulse to the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Exclusively for this year’s Life Ball, MINI has provided the Italian fashion company Versace with a MINI Cooper Convertible, which has been specially restyled under the supervision of chief-designer Donatella Versace. The international fashion scene and all Life Ball spectators can marvel at the unique piece live on the red carpet on Saturday, 21st of May.

The Versace MINI
Only a few automobiles arise as much attention in the fashion scene as MINI. Also the international acquainted fashion designer Donatella Versace had been inspired by it and thus designed a black MINI Cooper Convertible following the creative ideas of her own. “It has been an unusual and stimulating challenge - said Donatella Versace -combining fashion with the technology and modernity of a car like the Mini. The fact that this helps to fight against AIDS was the ultimate decisive factor.”

Exterior
The design reproduces the famous Versace “baroque” print. It is typical Versace style: elegant yet coltish. It therefore perfectly fits the colorful Life Ball event. The flower pattern is layered over the car lacquer like a second skin.

Interior
The seats are covered with black leather, which are held together by golden seam. The gearshift, being the core element in the car’s cockpit, has been adorned with a silver Versace-type Medusa and is enframed by original Swarovski crystals. On the car’s c-pillar (the hindmost part of the cars soft-top) and the headrests of the front seats, one can find an embroided Versace Medusa. The interior has also been made by in-house Versace experts following the conceptional idea of Donatella Versace’s design and therefore perfectly fit the car’s exterior.

Auction on eBay
Following the Life Ball Event the Versace MINI will be auctioned off for a good cause on eBay (www.ebay.de, www.ebay.at and www.ebay.it). The proceeds go to the Life Ball, which supports several HIV and AIDS aid organizations with it.

MINI is available in a total of 7 model variants, from the MINI One D with 55 kW/75 bhp to the MINI Cooper S with 125 kW/170 bhp. In between there is the MINI One with 66 kW/90 bhp petrol engine and the MINI Cooper with 85 kW/115 bhp. The icing on the cake is the MINI Cabrio which has been available since Summer 2004 with electric soft top and a fresh design.

For more information regarding the MINI commitment at the 2005 Life Ball please visit www.mini.at/lifeball and www.lifeball.org for general information.