When TAXI executive creative director, Steve Mykolyn, was trying to figure out the logistics of designing a jacket that would be distributed to homeless people, he turned to longtime friend and fashion designer Lida Baday.

A graduate of the design school at Ryerson University in Toronto, Baday made her official debut on the fashion scene in 1987, and has been selling her collections to prominent retailers such as Holt Renfrew, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue ever since.

Aside from the simplicity and sophistication of her designs, Lida Baday is known for her attention to detail, high standards of production, and her innovative use and choice of fabrics – all qualities that come through in the 15 Below jacket.

Baday praises the amount of research that went into The 15 Below Project  – not only from a technical aspect, but also in terms of how a recipient would use the jacket. For example, knowing that homeless people often must carry their belongings with them, it had to be easily portable. The solution? When not in use, the jacket can be folded and used as a backpack, complete with straps, or double as a pillow.

Similarly, the colour black was chosen for its longevity, and because it is the most practical when considering the transferable nature of newsprint ink. The technical fabric, Aquamax, was chosen for its resistance and durability, as well as its ability to transition between various seasonal protection needs. The coat lining features large pockets that can be stuffed with newspaper to protect against extreme temperatures. Unstuffed, it can be used as a raincoat. Other features include a foldaway hood, waterproof zippers, and drawstring cuffs and hem to keep the cold at bay.

Baday, who called the project a welcome challenge, said she was glad Steve thought of her, and was happy to be a part of something so beneficial. She was also thrilled with the results of a meat locker test to determine its effectiveness. “It’s great to know it works,” she said. “It’s really easy to do these things,” she adds. “Often we just don’t take the time to.”