You've probably already seen them on the streets of London - the latest Foxtons Mini Cooper. Acknowledging the 30th anniversary of the ground-breaking punk movement, the new design pays tribute to its unique style.
The year is 1976. In November a single called Anarchy in the UK is released by a relatively unknown band called The Sex Pistols. In May 1977 the group's second single, God Save the Queen, storms to number 2 in the charts. Their reputation is sealed by the release of Pretty Vacant in July, and the legendary album Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols in October. There are several groups and individuals that contributed to the development of punk, but The Sex Pistols can justifiably be regarded as the movement's progenitors.
Fast forward to 2006. The creative team at design agency Bear are brainstorming ideas for the latest annual redesign of the Foxtons Mini Cooper. Bear has undertaken the redesign of every incarnation of the Foxtons Mini ever since the company started using it as a fleet car in 2001. Since then, they have produced designs that have captured the public's imagination by latching on to ideas and images that are part of contemporary consciousness.
The Foxtons punk Mini is inspired by the enduring popularity of a movement that enthused a generation of ground-breaking creative talent and the new design reflects the combination of traditional and modern motifs that made punk so radical and innovative.
Vivienne Westwood incorporated tartan into her fashion designs to serve as a counterpoint to the more outrageous elements she used, such as safety pins, chains and razor blades. The artist Jamie Reid designed many of The Sex Pistol's graphics. His work, featuring letters cut from newspaper headlines in the style of a ransom note, remains one of the defining images of the punk movement and is also used in the Foxtons Mini design to provide each vehicle in the fleet with its unique ID number.
The creative team at Bear have hit the bull's-eye once again, acknowledging the 30th anniversary of the revolutionary punk movement while providing another striking design for Foxtons. Foxtons reputation for professionalism and excellent service has afforded them the freedom to experiment with their brand. The company took a bold step in deciding to use the Mini Cooper as a fleet vehicle, but it has charm, personality and a sense of fun, and so much character of its own that it can easily support the striking designs Bear has created for it over the years. The Mini has been Britain's favourite small car ever since it was launched in 1959, and has long been associated with London for its chic style and its practical dimensions. In its 1960s' heyday it was estimated that 9 out of 10 people in the UK either owned or had travelled in a Mini at some time. The arrival of the sporty Mini Cooper and its adoption by the stars of London's 'Chelsea set', including Twiggy, Peter Sellers and Mary Quant, secured its success. It's hardly surprising that Foxtons should choose such a popular and instantly recognisable car to carry their brand through the streets of London. The latest Mini redesign is indicative of the creative insight and philosophy of the design gurus at Bear and the Foxtons ideology of continually challenging the traditions of its industry. This is exactly what the punk movement set out to do, and indeed, succeeded in doing, 30 years ago.
