Nothing could be more British than a creative collaboration between historic carmaker Mini and fashion designer Paul Smith. The most-talked-about automotive collaboration of the season has been is unveiled this week at the Tokyo Motor Show, known as Japan Mobility 2025, which takes place between October 29 and November 9 at the Tokyo Big Sight. This biennial auto show sees major automotive announcements from major manufacturers.
For this one time, we will leave Mini’s performance and technical specifications to automotive experts, and focus on Mini X Paul Smith edition’s design anecdotes. “I have been a collector of cars and bikes myself and I am thrilled to infuse elements of my life and career into it. I love the use of colours, and you’ll see it in everything I design including this car,” Paul tells me during an exclusive conversation. The car, will be available in both, combustion engines and electric versions, across the Mini portfolio of three-door, five-door and convertible range.
The special edition car will be available in both, combustion engines and electric versions, across the Mini portfolio of three-door, five-door and convertible range.
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement
Mini X Paul Smith has tiny, retrained elements. The cabin, for instance, is lined with knit fabric in black and blue hues, the blue sports seats as well as the Paul Smith stitched finish on the fabric strip features on all Mini steering wheels. There is also a custom Paul Smith mode that can be activated on the user interface on the famous circular touchscreen at the centre of the cockpit. Paul is a self-confessed car and bike geek, owning 16 motorbikes and, expectedly, one Mini.
Mini X Paul Smith has tiny, retrained elements
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement
Some of the other design cues that Paul has infused into the car include an inscription on the lower door’s sill, which reads “Every day is a new beginning” in his handwriting. “I want people driving the car to feel optimistic and happy. Inspiration can be sought just about anywhere,” Paul tells me.
A custom Paul Smith mode can be activated on the user interface on the famous circular touchscreen at the centre of the cockpit
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement
There is also a special ‘Hello’ light projection on the floor, from the side mirror, adding a quirky touch. There is an interesting story behind the green side mirrors, octagonal front grille and on the roof — it is named Nottingham Green, named after Smith’s hometown, which evokes a sense of nostalgia and adds a certain Britishness to the mix. Those in the fashion fray are familiar with Paul’s signature coloured stripes and these are elegantly replicated in Nottingham Green on the rooftop as well as in a small coloured badging located just behind the drive.
Paul Smith has infused into the car include- an inscription on the lower door’s sill
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement
On the floor mats, a custom sketched rabbit motif is visible. “I consider the rabbit as a lucky symbol for me, I’ve collected (and been gifted) hundreds of rabbits through my career. My wife always gave me a rabbit before my fashion shows. I’ve decided to put two rabbits on the floor mats of my Mini.”
How, then, do the worlds of automobiles and fashion design come together?
Holger Hampf, global head of Mini Design tells me that as a product designer he “looks beyond his core expertise, which is automotive design, I look at architecture, fashion, art and culture to create a result. Today, luxury is not only about a flashy brand or an elevated price point. A driver wants smart design and a unique story to be part of.”
Holger Hampf, global head of Mini Design, and Paul
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement
Paul concludes, “even the choice of colours on my new Mini have a story behind it.” There are two edition-specific colours: Inspired White and Statement Grey, the latter is an allusion to the classic Mini Austen Seven colour dating back to 1959.
This is the fifth time that the British designer has joined hands with the British carmaker, starting from 1998 original version, the Mini Strip in 2021, the Mini Recharged by Paul Smith in 2022 and a special one-off striped version in 1999 to celebrate 40 years of the Mini.
Published – October 30, 2025 02:18 pm IST