Fashion designers are sometimes criticized for being shallow and overly self-involved, but designers take up causes all the time that demonstrate the extent of their engagement with and commitment to the world beyond fashion. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are only the latest: To celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the Giro d’Italia, Italy’s answer to the Tour de France, the duo has redesigned the race’s iconic Pink Jersey (Maglia Rosa)—given each year to the winner—and has plans to auction customized replicas of it to benefit victims of last month’s Abruzzo earthquake. Lance Armstrong (recently recovered from a broken collarbone) will be racing in the classic, which begins tomorrow in Venice and lasts till May 31, for the first time, adding excitement to the event. At the end of the first stage, Dolce and Gabbana will personally present the Pink Jersey to the winner; additionally, they and several of the cyclists in the competition will autograph jerseys and make them available for fans to bid on at www.ebay.it/charity. It’s your chance to get a piece of fashion and cycling history and help people in need at the same time. See, fashion does care.

KEYWORDS: clothing, Cycling, Dolce&Gabbana, Domenico Dolce, fashion, Giro d'Italia, Lance Armstrong, sports, Stefano Gabbana