MINI and Paul Smith unveil A Garden of Curiosity in Milan

BMW Group reports MINI and Paul Smith present A Garden of Curiosity at Salone del Mobile 2026, combining design installation and new MINI Paul Smith Edition. Learn more

The first thing visitors encounter is a red door inside a historic Milanese palace. Behind it, MINI and Paul Smith present not just a car, but an entire world — the immersive installation A Garden of Curiosity, where the new MINI Paul Smith Edition becomes part of a design experience.

The project is shown during Salone del Mobile 2026 and is open to the public from April 21 to 26 at Palazzo Borromeo d’Adda. Instead of a conventional reveal, the brands create a journey: a wooden bridge across the courtyard, followed by an entry into a green space filled with pathways, plants, and open platforms. Inside, colour, sound, textures, and architecture merge, while the iconic Paul Smith Signature Stripe runs subtly through the entire environment.

This format carries its own meaning. Salone del Mobile is one of the largest international design platforms, bringing together thousands of exhibitors and hundreds of brands. MINI’s presence here highlights how cars are increasingly positioned as part of a broader design culture. In this setting, the vehicle is not just a product, but an element within a larger creative environment.

The installation is built around interaction. In the Colour Theory Room, visitors arrange colour samples on an interactive wall, with the overall composition evolving throughout the day. In the Listening Room, recordings of Paul Smith’s voice explore the role of colour theory. An open platform invites visitors to pause and experience the space more consciously, away from the pace of the city.

The new MINI Cooper Convertible Paul Smith Edition is hidden within the installation, designed to be discovered. This approach turns the car into part of a playful exploration — once found, visitors can examine details reflecting Paul Smith’s distinctive style. Nearby, three vehicles trace the history of the collaboration, which began in 1998, from the original limited Mini Paul Smith Edition to later experimental projects such as MINI STRIP.

The partnership itself has evolved over time. The late-1990s edition was produced in limited numbers, followed by concept-driven projects that explored minimalism and sustainability, including the stripped-back MINI STRIP and electrified reinterpretations of classic models. The new Paul Smith Edition continues this trajectory within the current MINI Cooper family.

The model is offered in several versions, including an electric variant with 218 hp and a 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 6.7 seconds. Market availability in Europe is planned for the second quarter of 2026, with configuration for certain models opening from late May. The design combines base body colours with Nottingham Green accents and Signature Stripe graphics, while the interior features distinctive materials, stitching, and personalised elements.

This presentation format signals a broader shift. MINI is not simply launching a new edition — it is placing it within a cultural and design narrative, where the car becomes part of a wider visual language. Given the scale and context of the event, this approach reflects a growing trend in how automotive brands position themselves within the design world.