For the 18th annual Life Ball fundraiser for people with HIV and AIDS that took place on July 17 at Vienna’s City Hall Square, MINI joined forces with celebrity fashion designers Diane von Furstenberg, Kenneth Cole and Calvin Klein Collection’s Francisco Costa to create three one-off specials.

One of the cars, the Life Ball MINI by Francisco Costa, went under the hammer for the amount of €40,000 (about US$52,000) that same evening as part of the amfAR Gala in Vienna in support of the AIDS charity. The other two MINIs, the three-door hatch by Diane von Furstenberg and Kenneth Cole’s Convertible will be auctioned at upcoming amfAR events, with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation for AIDS Research.

Dr Wolfgang Armbrecht, Senior Vice President MINI Brand Management, commented: “We can now look back on a successful ten-year partnership with the Life Ball. The event is an excellent platform for the MINI brand, while our involvement allows us to contribute further to the fight against HIV/AIDS.”