MINI has been an official supporter of Life Ball since 2001, and each year they release a one-off car based on one of their latest models, to be auctioned and raise money for projects combating HIV and AIDS. Also to raise public awareness, they team up with famous – well, sort of – designers to style the car in a unique way. This is the 2012 Life Ball MINI, based on a Roadster, and designed by Franca Sozzani.

Franca is the chief editor of Italian VOGUE and UN Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development. With this MINI she’s gone for a trendy Deepest Purple matt paintwork . The highlight of this year’s Life Ball MINI is the floral design on the roof of the MINI Roadster.

Other features include steel-coloured accents on the exterior mirrors and alloy wheels, along with typical MINI rally stripes. For the  interior, Franca chose high-grade materials and a sophisticated seat design.

The one-off MINI will be auctioned in the Hall of Ceremonies at Vienna’s Hofburg palace as part of the AIDS Solidarity Gala on Saturday 19starting at 5pm. MINI Life Ball one-offs have generated proceeds of more than 500,000 euros over the last few years.