MINI and British designer Paul Smith are teaming up again. Their latest collaboration, the MINI Paul Smith Edition, will make its world debut on October 29th at the Tokyo Mobility Show. The unveiling marks a new chapter in the creative relationship between the famous design and the British brand. The partnership between MINI and Paul Smith began in 1998 when the designer wrapped a classic Mini Cooper in his signature multi-colored stripes. A year later, he created a special “Signature Stripe” model to celebrate the Mini’s 40th anniversary. Both cars perfectly reflected the brand’s playful British character and Smith’s instinct for combining utility with style.
Over the years, the two have teamed up again on several projects that have pushed MINI’s design boundaries. Introduced in 2021, the MINI STRIP was a radical reimagining of what a car could be when reduced to its most basic form. Based on a fully electric MINI Cooper SE, the STRIP followed three guiding principles: simplicity, transparency and sustainability.
A year later, Smith resumed his previous work with the MINI Recharged project, converting his original striped 1998 Mini into an electric car. The project showed how tradition can coexist with new technology, retaining the proportions and personality of the classic Mini while modernizing its powertrain for modern roads.
Now this conversation continues in Tokyo. The new MINI Paul Smith Edition will be introduced alongside MINI’s current range, including the electric Cooper SE, the practical five-door S variant, the convertible based on MINI’s “Always Open” spirit, the performance-oriented John Cooper Works Aceman and the Countryman S ALL4. Each model represents a different aspect of brand development, but all pursue the same goal: combining design heritage with new technologies.
The Japan Mobility Show will take place from October 29th to November 9th and will bring together more than 130 exhibitors from around the world. It has become one of the most important global stages for new ideas in the areas of design, technology and sustainable mobility. It is a fitting place for MINI and Paul Smith to revisit a collaboration that has always maintained a balance between simplicity and imagination.
