If high fashion hits urban mobility, the result can be conspicuous. The BMW Austria and the luxury fashion house Elie Saab have unveiled a tailor -made Mini Cooper S, which was founded exclusively for the first Amfar gala in Salzburg. The unique car will be auctioned on August 24th, whereby the proceeds support the American Foundation for AIDS research in its ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.
The basis of this cooperation is the new F66 Mini Cooper S, but the design was transformed into a little far beyond a production model. The exterior bears a cascading metallic gradient that shifts with the light and runs out of liquid copper into soft bronze and nude tones. The visual drama extends to a set of 18-inch slide spoke wheels, which is completed in Satin and branded with the Elie Saab logo. The combination also conveys the movement at a standstill and strengthens the sculptural presence of the car.
An interior of elegance and details
Inside, the Mini by Elie Saab continues the topic of timeless craftsmanship. The seats and panels are made of brown leather with the Elie Saab monogram to emphasize the refinement and exclusivity. The cabin adds another level of the sensory detail and contains the typical fragrance of the fashion house, Golden, which was developed in collaboration with Culti Milano. The fragrance – an interplay of bitter orange and cedar wood – holds in a leather pillow next to the steering wheel. It is a flourishing that connects luxury fragrance design directly with the driving experience.
While the tailor -made details dominate the spotlight, the car remains a mini coop. Under the bonnet is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine B48 from BMW and delivers 204 hp to the front wheels. The result is a car that can move as quickly as the head turns.
A symbol of cooperation and cause
Both Mini and Elie Saab emphasize the symbolic value of this project. The car reflects a meeting point for automotive technology and the haute couture, but its purpose is philanthropic. As Alexander Bamberger, CEO of BMW Austria, serves design and craftsmanship that serve somewhat greater than the aesthetics – the attention and financing of the global research efforts of Amfar.
The Salzburg gala marks the Austrian debut from Amfar and brings together fashion, entertainment and philanthropy figures. The Mini by Elie Saab is expected to be among the most expected auction objects of the event, a unique creation in which design excellence is meaningful.
