Mini->ke57 has supported Europe;s biggest charity even for the past ten years and this year will be no different. Mini will again be a sponsor for the fight against HIV/AIDS at the 18th Life Ball that takes place in Vienna on July 17, 2010. This year Mini has prepared three special editions that will be auctioned off on behalf of the charity supported by the Life Ball.

The first of the three special models will come from Calvin Klein and will be designed by their creative director, Francisco Costa. His project will consist of designing the new MINI Countryman, the brand's new crossover model. The second model will come from the US fashion designer with Belgian roots, Diane von Furstenberg. Diane will be in charge of designing a Mini hatch->ke629. The third and final special edition comes from New York’s Kenneth Cole, who has imprinted his unmistakable style on a MINI Convertible.

This year’s Life Ball is being held on a specific date in order to tie in with the 18th International AIDS Conference that starts in Vienna the day after the big event. This year’s mottos are "Sow the Seeds of Solidarity!" and the "Earth" theme and the 2010 Life Ball will be "planting its seeds around the world wherever there is a real need."

Updated 07/09/2010: Mini unveiled today new images with the new Life Ball edition that will be auctioned at the amfAR Gala in Vienna on 17 July on behalf of the charitable cause, with proceeds going to amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research.

Press release after the jump.

2010 Mini Life Ball Editions

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2010 Mini Life Ball Editions
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Press release

This year marks the tenth consecutive involvement on the part of MINI in Europe’s biggest charity event in support of HIV/AIDS. The 18th Life Ball takes place in Vienna on 17th July 2010 and will once again be a hot spot for the international celebrity set. This flamboyant and extrovert event flies the flag for tolerance and solidarity. For MINI it provides an ideal platform on which to showcase its social-political commitment.

Since 2001, one of the chief protagonists at the Life Ball has been a MINI created by a fashion designer. This year for the first time, three different MINI models will be embellished by a trio of world-renowned names from the world of fashion. On behalf of America's Calvin Klein, his creative director Francisco Costa will be designing the MINI Countryman, the brand's new crossover model. The US fashion designer with Belgian roots Diane von Furstenberg, meanwhile, will add her artistic touch to a MINI Hatch, while New York’s Kenneth Cole will imprint his unmistakable style on a MINI Convertible. These exclusive collector’s items are to be auctioned on behalf of the charity supported by the Life Ball, the proceeds going to amfAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research).

The previous Life Ball MINIs have never failed to thrill with their outré designs. Indeed, their history reads like a Who’s Who of the fashion industry: Missoni (2003), Ferré (2004), Versace (2005), Diesel (2006), Mario Testino (2007), Agent Provocateur (2008) and, last year, The Blonds for Katy Perry. Proceeds now total around EUR 500,000.