One sweater won’t change the world, but it might change how you see it. High-end cycling apparel maker Rapha teamed with Apolis Activism to design the Transit Elite cycling sweater, and they in turned partnered with Citta Himalaya, a non-profit, to have the sweaters made at Citta’s women’s collective in Kathmandu. The Transit Elite is a gorgeous mix of merino wool and cashmere, and the story behind it will make you feel as good wearing it as you look.

In 1991, American artist Michael Daube was digging through trash looking for materials for his art when he stumbled across a drawing with the initials “D.H.” On a hunch, he kept it, and his instincts turned out correct: The drawing was by David Hockney. Daube sold it for $18,000 and then, with the proceeds, launched Citta and built a hospital in Orissa, India. He went on to build a school, an orphanage, a clinic and school in Mexico, and the women’s center in Nepal.

California-preppy apparel maker Apolis was launched in 2004 by three brothers from Santa Barbara. Last year, the brand partnered with Filson and Invisible Children, which is trying to rebuild the Ugandan cotton industry devastated by civil war to create financial opportunities for farmers and factory workers, and made the bomber Philanthropist briefcase. It also began its first project with Citta to make a scarf, hat, and sweater. This year, the collaboration with Rapha followed.

The short film is filled with Nepalese eye candy and some road cycling that will make you long for Himalayan climbs, but mostly introduces you to the women who’ve made the Transit Elite. 50 of them were employed on it for three months. It’s probably not enough, but it’s a good start.

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Nepal’s caste system is particularly hard on women. To learn more about their challenges, check out this short video from Citta.

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Tagged as: asia, cycling