From waste to wow! Take the superior quality of Made-in-Italy products, add a small team of in-house fashion directors, and blend with the creativity of local designers. Do not forget the expertise of specialised tailors. These are the ingredients of Progetto QUID, winner of the European Social Innovation competition held in Brussels the 20^th of May 2014.

Over 25 million Europeans are out of work. On top of that, many people are stuck in low-paid jobs or sense that they have few opportunities on the job market – sometimes because of their gender, age or a handicap.

This Competition invites any European to come up with new solutions to create new opportunities for work, and for better work. Not doing anything about unemployment and under-employment is not just cruel and wasteful; the corrosive effects of high unemployment will cast a shadow over the economy and our society for years to come.

Combining chic and social, boosting local employment with a new fashion brand that is 100% ecological, young, smart, irresistible and affordable? QUID, a new, independent Made in Italy brand, creates affordable, limited edition collections assembling and restyling first-quality unused materials from established ‘Made in Italy’ brands in partnership with young emerging designers whilst employing exclusively disadvantaged women.

The strength as a fashion brand resides in their products. Progetto QUID want love at first sight between customers and our creations.

QUID’s creative team handpicks budding talents amongst local, independent designers envisaging new way to revisit unused materials from QUID’s partners – major high-street Made-in-Italy brands.

QUID employees – women from disadvantaged backgrounds – benefit from on-going sartorial training from qualified teachers and carry out hand-made restyling according the highest standard under the careful supervision of the creative team.

QUID materials – QUID treasures good-quality, beautiful, and unique materials. For our creations we select only the best, unused first quality materials and fabrics and prevent them from ending up in waste bins.

QUID customers are guaranteed a 100% ecological item, because made of recycled scraps. The quality of the materials is however superior. The supply chain is rigorously local.

QUID brand partners – by converting unused scraps into unique creations in a smart, environment-friendly and fashion-savvy way QUID help partner brands optimise their waste-disposal strategy while offering them a concrete formula for effective social responsibility.

Henry Borzi