Fashion designer Cavalli's MINI breaks record

Roberto Cavalli at the Life Ball Watched by tens of thousands of spectators, the Life Ball MINI 2013 by Roberto Cavalli on 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.
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.