MINI paul smith edition unboxed interview at japan mobility show 2025

MINI PAUL SMITH EDITION debuts at japan mobility show 2025

MINI and Sir Paul Smith unbox production-ready cars at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in Tokyo. Following the minimalist MINI STRIP (2021) and the electrified MINI Recharged (2022), the MINI Paul Smith Edition infuses the celebrated British designer’s world-famous aesthetic – ‘classic with a twist’ – into the new MINI family. Available for all MINI Cooper 3-door, 5-door, and convertible models, the new edition masterfully blends shared heritage with a playful, optimistic, and independent spirit.

designboom interviews Sir Paul Smith and Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design, to delve into the history, shared philosophies, and latest design that drive the two British brands’ enduring, long-term relationship.

MINI and Sir Paul Smith unbox production-ready cars at the Japan Mobility Show 2025

MINI X PAUL SMITH HIStory

With the MINI Paul Smith Edition debuting at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, the partnership between the two British brands already holds particular significance in the country. Sir Paul Smith’s dedication to the Japanese market is evident in his respectful, committed approach, continuous visits since the 1980s, and near 140-strong shops in the country. Holger Hampf echoes MINI’s loyalty, emphasizing the Japanese influence in keeping the brand afloat in 1980s and 90s when all other global production had been halted. This mutual respect forms the bedrock of a long-term collaboration that started in 1998 with a uniquely blue Classic MINI and, over the past few years, also introduced the STRIP and Recharged.

‘Discussions about near-future collaborations started right after we finished the STRIP,‘ explains Holger Hampf, Head of MINI Design, to designboom. ‘It is my favorite show car. I love the honesty in the concept. And from there on, our conversation continued with the Recharged and now Paul Smith Edition.‘

Nottingham Green paintwork accents the side mirrors, octagonal radiator grille, and one of the two roof variants

BRITISH CLASSIC WITH A TWIST

Discussing the collaborative design process in the latest edition, Holger Hampf describes a methodology centered on provoking ideas and fostering confidence in every design decision. Sir Paul Smith’s input brings an element of irreverence and an artistic view, most notably through the use of vibrant, colorful elements – a key feature that defines his aesthetic.

‘I use the word irreverence quite a lot when I’m styling for my shows,‘ admits Sir Paul Smith. ‘In the early days, when I first started in this 1970s, men were dressing in a very classical way. It was considered really risque to wear a colorful sweater or anything. I learnt to nudge against these rules. For instance, a denim shirt with a cashmere suit is exactly wrong but that is what makes it right. The choice shows your personal confidence, artistic view or something. That is why I give the customer the ability to have a bit more fun in a quite classic outfit. Now, this irreverence is shown in production MINIs.‘

the special design adds british classic with a twist

The design philosophy shared by both the fashion and automotive icons converge on minimalist and sustainable design elements. Sir Paul Smith’s long-standing use of natural materials like bamboo in his fashion designs and shop interiors is a testament to his commitment to sustainability. This is reflected throughout his MINI collaborations, starting with the STRIP and now the 100% recyclable Vescin-textile interior of the Paul Smith Edition.

‘Sustainability should be automatically considered these days,‘ clarifies Sir Paul. ‘Anyway, we do it in everything I design: we make shirting from bamboo, our in-house-designed shops include nature, and we made sure the Edition cars considered its materials too.‘

the ‘signature stripe’ – a central Paul Smith design feature – colorfully adorns the roof on the driver’s side

This overlap of design philosophies is crucial in realizing a new collaboration between the two brands. Sir Paul Smith and Holger Hampf explain that three color choices are inspired by a careful observation of architecture as well as natural elements. A standout feature, however, is the specially created Nottingham Green paintwork – a deliberate tribute to Sir Paul’s hometown – which adds sophisticated accents to the side mirrors, the octagonal radiator grille, the wheel hub covers with Paul Smith lettering, and as the paintwork for one of the two roof variants. Further exterior detailing includes the ‘signature stripe’, a central Paul Smith design feature, that colorfully adorns the roof on the driver’s side.

‘I look everywhere for inspiration about color. This is not just through very obvious artists like Matisse, but also through the Renaissance who had an amazing use of color combinations. Sunsets, shooting stars, and even my hometown lend imagination for different tones in my work,‘ notes Sir Paul.

Holger then adds: ‘Take a look at some of the details on the car. There are certain corners where materials and colors come together, such as the Nottingham Green, for example. This precision is very typical for automotive design. When different colors are applied, it creates very interesting discoveries, which we now see on the new models.‘

the dashboard and door panels are made of black knitted surfaces

The British ‘classic with a twist’ character extends into the interior with a modern, elegant look. The dashboard and door panels feature black knitted surfaces, while the nightshade blue sports seats are made of Vescin with knitted textile in the shoulder and headrest areas. The steering wheel’s textile band features decorative stitching in bright colors drawn from the same signature stripe on the exterior – quintessentially Paul Smith.

the steering wheel’s textile band features the signature stripe stitching in bright colors as on the exterior

The fashion designer’s playful spirit is evident in the small, hidden details that bring an element of joy and discovery to the car: a graphic of a stylized, hand-drawn ‘rabbit’ on the floor mat, and upon opening the door, the driver and passenger are greeted with a handwritten ‘hello’ as a light projection on the floor. Sir Paul Smith’s positive motto, ‘everyday is a new beginning,’ is inscribed on the door sill. This thoughtful integration achieves the desired balance between classic and artistic elements that matches so well with the bold, playfulness of MINI.

‘The features give a very MINI welcome,‘ confirms Holger. ‘Paul Smith is positive and friendly, and so the car greets drivers and passengers in a very personal way. I love the handwritten signatures throughout the interior. It is very casual – and that’s also what MINI is all about.‘

the nightshade blue sports seats are made of Vescin with knitted textile in the shoulder and headrest areas

This enduring collaboration, which began back in 1998, has consistently resulted in unique styling. From the fashion designer’s limited edition classic MINI in a specially created blue, to the 1999 one-off celebrating the classic’s 40th birthday with 86 stripes in 26 colors, the partnership is centered on friendship, fun, and creative synergy. As Holger Hampf looks forward to the next steps, Sir Paul Smith assures that the collaboration is not just creatively rewarding but grounded in a practical and sustainable long-term vision. The MINI Paul Smith Edition is thus more than just a car; it is a shared mindset that ‘everyday is a new beginning’.

inside includes hand-drawn lucky ‘rabbit’ on the floor mat, ‘hello’ as a light projection, and Sir Paul Smith’s positive motto – ‘everyday is a new beginning’ – inscribed on the door sill