Designers dress up Mini Cooper

Canadian design duo DSquared2 has released initial sketches of the Mini Cooper Countryman it outfitted for this year's Life Ball, which is on May 21 in Vienna, Austria.

Each year, the small-car maker commissions designers to dress up a Mini to be auctioned off at the Life Ball, which donates proceeds to the fight against HIV and AIDS.

The “Red Mudder,” as the car is called, is branded with a maple leaf on both doors and a DSquared2 logo on the front shield and wheels. It is fitted with fender flares, running boards, off-road lights and big, fat wheels and tires.

Previous designers have included Kenneth Cole and Donatella Versace. Last year's offering from Calvin Klein's Francisco Costa fetched 40,000 euros, or about $59,120, at auction.

By Julie Alvin