Mini Life Ball (2011): Mini's latest one-off charity special

This is the Mini 'Red Mudder'. a one-off custom Mini created by Canadian fashion designers DSQUARED² for the Life Ball, an annual AIDS charity event held in Vienna.

DSQUARED² are Canadian twin brothers Dean and Dan Caten, who launched their first fashion collection in 1995 and have been flummoxing sub-editors of non-fashion publications with their company name ever since.

Taking a Mini Cooper S hatchback as their canvas, the Catens decided to equip it for the Canadian outdoors - visually at least. The suspension has been raised and all-terrain tyres fitted, but don't go looking for Mini's All4 four-wheel-drive system underneath. A front nudge bar, extra spotlights on the nose and roof, and a tailgate mounted spare tyre complete the exterior transformation.

Inside, the Canadian duo removed the rear seats and created a ruggedised storage area with removable locker and fuel cans. Add DSQUARED² maple leaf logos inside and out, choose a patriotic Canadian read and black colourscheme and the 2011 Life Ball has its outdoorsy party piece.

Yes. This is the tenth year of Life Ball Minis. The company provided their first Life Ball car in 2001: a camouflaged new Mini hatchback, disguised because the Mini had yet to be officially launched. Since then fashion designers have been commissioned to decorate a Mini. The DSQUARED² Mini is the most heavily customised beyond paint and trim.

By Mark Hamilton