It's a Small World After All: Official pictures from MINI United

To celebrate 50 years of all things small and wonderful, MINI held a little party at one of England's most iconic racetracks, Silverstone. The event was equal parts racing, music festival and fashion show, highlighted by a concert by "modfather" Paul Weller, he of The Jam and The Style Council fame.

This was the third edition of the event, dubbed MINI United, and for MINI's 50th birthday it attracted a crowd that was anything but mini. Some 25,000 enthusiasts made it to the party, driving more than 10,000 Minis and representing 40+ countries. Folks from as far away as Russia, the United States and South Africa descended on Silverstone with their customized Coopers.

It was also a golden opportunity to show off the company's newest specials, the Mayfair and the Camden, as well as the George Harrison tribute MINI. Common folk and celebrities alike partook, including iconic British designer Mary Quant, inventor of the miniskirt. Quant even admitted that the name of the short skirt owed more to her love of her own little car than to the garment's length.

Among the thousands of cars on hand, a bunch of customized MINIs were displayed, with artwork by designer Paul Smith, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Missoni and illustrator Alan Aldridge among others. There's a gallery of pics from the event below, and a full press release after the jump.

[Source: MINI]

Press Release:

MINI United – a magnet for fans from around the globe. 25,000 enthusiasts from more than 40 countries converged on Silverstone to wish MINI a happy 50th birthday.

25.05.2009
Munich/Silverstone. The third edition of what has already become the legendary MINI United Festival was held this year from 22 – 24 May in glorious sunshine at the Formula One track in Silverstone, England. 25,000 fans from more than 40 countries made the pilgrimage to the world's premier gathering of its kind. They arrived in over 10,000 MINI models, most of them lovingly individualised. Numerous German fan clubs made their way to the venue, mostly setting out by car on the long journey to the UK. Even for participants from as far afield as Russia, the USA and South Africa, no effort or cost was too great to ensure they could pay personal tribute to the British classic on its 50th birthday. Likewise determined not to miss out on this winning mix of racing action, music festival and lifestyle spectacular were a whole raft of celebrities.

As part of the world premiere for the new Mayfair and Camden special models, the now 75-year-old Mary Quant – British style icon and inventor of the miniskirt – disclosed a long-guarded secret: the designation "mini-skirt" is not derived from the celebrated brevity of the garment; it was her much-loved car that inspired her to choose this name.

To mark the 50th anniversary, MINI also took the wraps off a reinterpretation of George Harrison's flamboyant model. This one-off, presented to Olivia Harrison on Saturday night, fully met the precise design brief of the Beatles' widow. She accepted the MINI on behalf of the Material World Charitable Foundation, a charity which George Harrison founded in 1973. The car will be auctioned this year to raise funds for the foundation. "George was a huge MINI fan and he would have enjoyed this new version. The fact that the 50th anniversary celebrations for MINI will also benefit our foundation has made it an enjoyable as well as meaningful collaboration," said Olivia Harrison.

But there were plenty more unique models to get pulses racing among the fans. British fashion designer Paul Smith again presented the model created by him, while the designs by David Bowie, Kate Moss, Missoni and the acclaimed illustrator and graphic designer Alan Aldridge were also on display. Similarly drawing approving looks were the original cars from films like "The Italian Job" and "Austin Powers".

The major highlight of the United Festival was the appearance of "modfather" Paul Weller, erstwhile frontman of the two legendary bands The Jam and The Style Council and now a longstanding and highly successful solo artist. "As I've been driving MINI all my life, I was delighted to be able to join in the 50th birthday celebrations," said Weller. As a tribute to the British artist, the band Twisted Wheel performed a cover version at the festival of one of his classic numbers, "That's Entertainment". The track will be exclusively available from the MINI website: www.mini.com.