This pop culture icon marks the next step in the successful collaboration between two British icons. This partnership is based on shared values of craftsmanship, creativity and innovation, combining the distinctive look of MINI with Paul Smith’s remarkable design language. The new edition for the MINI Cooper family stands out for its unique appearance with a British touch.
Paul Smith and MINI, two traditional British brands, have taken their collaboration to the next level and created something extraordinary: the new MINI Paul Smith Edition. Following the MINI STRIP in 2021 and the MINI Recharged by Paul Smith in 2022, the British designer is now bringing his world-famous design language, “Classic with a twist”, to the new MINI family. Whether electric or combustion engine, the edition will be available for all MINI Cooper 3-door, 5-door and convertible models, with the exception of John Cooper Works models. The look and details not only showcase Paul Smith’s signature style, but also the brand’s playful, optimistic and independent spirit.
An unmistakable look with a British touch
Combining MINI design with Paul Smith’s distinctive style: exclusive exterior colours and sophisticated, unexpected details bring the shared history of MINI and Paul Smith to life.
“MINI and Paul embody a shared positive mindset, embracing this edition’s motto: ‘Every day is a new beginning’. Our collaboration celebrates our mutual love of design and meticulous attention to detail. Unexpected elements, such as the projection of ’Hello ’ on the floor and Paul Smith’s handwritten inscription, make you smile as soon as you get into the car,” says Holger Hampf, Head of Design at MINI.
The MINI Paul Smith Edition offers three exterior paint finishes, two of which are exclusive to this edition: Statement Grey is a modern interpretation of the classic 1959 Mini Austin Seven colour, a light grey shade with blue undertones and a statement of timeless, self-assured modernity. Inspired White is a contemporary homage to the popular Classic Mini Beige colour and, finally, the elegant and classic Midnight Black Metallic from the current MINI family.
Regardless of the body colour, Nottingham Green paint, created especially in homage to Sir Paul’s hometown, adds sophisticated details to the side mirrors, the octagonal radiator grille, the wheel hub covers with Paul Smith lettering, and one of the two roof variants.
In addition to the colour variations, numerous details characterise Paul Smith’s signature style and make the MINI Paul Smith Edition unmistakable: the “Signature Stripe”, a central design element of the British designer, adorns the Nottingham Green roof at the rear on the driver’s side. The alternative roof version features elegant Jet Black stripes of varying thicknesses, both matt and glossy, while the MINI Cooper Convertible Paul Smith Edition comes with a black soft top.
All vehicles in the edition are fitted with eighteen-inch Night Spoke aluminium wheels with a Dark Steel Flash tinted clear coat. The MINI logo on the front and rear is available in a new Black Blue design and complements the colour scheme of Paul Smith and MINI. On the black horizontal strip at the rear, the Paul Smith signature refers to the creative spirit behind the vehicle’s design.
British sobriety and elegance in the interior
The British character is also reflected in the interior, with numerous components featuring a modern and elegant appearance. The woven surfaces of the dashboard and door panels are black, while Paul Smith fabrics with tone-on-tone stripe patterns serve as inspiration for the dashboard’s special structure. The Nightshade Blue sports seats are made from Vescin and feature knitted fabric in the shoulder areas and headrests. Inspired by the Signature Stripe, the decorative stitching on the steering wheel’s fabric band is designed in bright colours, typical of Paul Smith.
The round screen in the centre of the dashboard also appears with one of three different Paul Smith backgrounds when Personal mode is selected. Small hidden details highlight the influence of British design, but also the designer’s playful nature: upon opening the door, the driver and front passenger are greeted with a handwritten “Hello” projected onto the floor and Smith’s motto “Every day is a new beginning” on the door sill, reflecting the positive mindset of both brands. A stylised rabbit graphic hand-drawn by Paul Smith on the floor mat completes the interior details.
A collaboration that combines British heritage, creativity and contemporary sophistication
MINI and Sir Paul Smith: two icons that are not only linked by their British heritage, but also boast exclusive collaborations that result in a unique style. Their joint creative success story began in 1998, when the designer created a limited edition of the classic Mini: a specially designed blue colour and matching anthracite alloy wheels gave the iconic model Paul Smith’s signature look.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the classic MINI in 1999, the fashion designer immersed an exclusive and unique model in his signature striped design, using eighty-six stripes in twenty-six colours.
In 2021, the MINI STRIP celebrated its world premiere: a vehicle designed using only what Paul Smith considered absolutely necessary. The result was a unique, customised car which, despite its minimalist design and in keeping with Smith’s philosophy of “Classic with a twist”, was not lacking in striking and surprising details.
In 2022, Paul Smith returned to the origins of the collaboration with the MINI Recharged by Paul Smith, a classic version that found its way into the present. Thus, a classic Mini from the 1998 MINI Paul Smith edition was transformed into a modernised electric vehicle. With a focus on quality and functionality, a contemporary car was created that can also be considered a tribute to the tradition and legacy of the classic MINI.
MINI Paul Smith Collection
But it is not only Sir Paul Smith who inspires MINI with creative ideas; the inspiration also works the other way round: the designer repeatedly uses MINI as a motif in exclusive pieces from his collections. To celebrate the launch of the MINI Paul Smith Edition, Paul Smith will release a capsule collection of bags inspired by details from the latest collaboration with MINI.
