Life Ball is Back! This Year MINI Teams up with Vogue Italia for Europe’s most Explosive Charity Event May 18, 2012

"Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favour fire." -Robert Frost “Fight the Flames of Ignorance!” is the theme of this year’s 20th Anniversary Life Ball, held in Vienna this Saturday. It couldn’t be more appropriate. The Ball, which is the largest AIDS/HIV charity event in Europe, has come a long way in its storied 20-year history, but the heat of the battle still runs high. And this year, a glittering array of luminaries the world over are set to descend on the Austrian capital for the ultimate night of decadence as the charity carries the torch into its third decade. Your MINI Space Team will be on the ground in full firefighting regalia, and we’ll be bringing you the full scoop from the most flamboyant and spectacular charity event on the social calendar. We’re no pyromancy experts, but if it’s anything like last year’s Life Ball, we’ve got a pretty good idea of what to expect. Brace yourselves for a feast of glitter, feathers, flames, and some truly outlandish costume design. The party marks the 12th year of partnership with MINI, who donates a car each year for creative adaptation by an illustrious designer for a charity auction. The partnership has seen the likes of Versace, Missoni and Calvin Klein stamp their signature style on a MINI, with stunning and unique results. This year, Vogue Italia is hosting this year's Anniversary Life Ball Fashion Show presented by MINI, and MINI is delighted to get Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia, on board for a little MINI makeover of her own. Sozzani, who originally inspired the collaboration with Ilaria Venturini Fendi that spawned the MINI Roadster Handbag, is back to work her magic on a real live MINI Roadster, and the results – below – debut on the red carpet this Saturday. The MINI Roadster will be auctioned at the Aids Solidarity Gala. Start saving now, we say… Sozzani heads up a wide selection of glitterati expected to attend Life Ball 2012, with AIDS charity luminaries Bill Clinton and Milla Jovovich among the attendees. We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more fire-clad stars, and, as ever, you’ll be the first to know the scoop right here on MINI Space. Let the spectacle commence! Related Links:
Life Ball 2012
VOGUE Italia
Ilaria Fendi's MINI Roadster Handbag