Tom Daley Opens Up About Diving, Fatherhood, and His Knitwear Brand
Photographed by Jacques Burga
Styled by James Yardley
At the Tokyo Olympics, Tom Daley, won a gold, a bronze, and everyone’s attention with pictures of him knitting in the stands. Shortly after the the pictures went viral, he announced his brand Made With Love, complete with explanations to make their own knitwear. Daley is currently in London with his son, Robbie Black-Daley, who he had via surrogate with his husband Dustin Lance Black. This interview takes place before the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and that is why the topic is not addressed. Daley has been open about the subject on social media, and has invited friends, fans, and family to donate to the UNHCR to support the war-torn country.
L'OFFICIEL: How do you handle the milestones that come along in your career?
TOM DALEY: Every Olympics I've faced has been different because it changes my awareness, my preparation, my physicality, and my mental attitude. Now, I feel like a fairly mature athlete and I'm happy to have reached this level. I'm able to understand my path and use the things I've learned during my sports career to help understand why I've arrived here. Besides, I think being a parent has helped me a lot as a person.
L'O: Why did you choose diving?
TD: I "tripped" when I was a kid. I saw people diving and I wanted to try. I still remember it was like love at first sight. I don’t know why I chose it as a sport and I don’t want to say that it was the sport that chose me, but it’s just an opportunity that I was able to seize.
L'O: How do you feel about representing the LGBTQ+ community at the Olympics?
TD: I don’t necessarily think about this when I go to the Olympics, but at the same time it is extremely important to have the opportunity to give visibility to all those young people who have not yet managed to find themselves.
L'O: In your opinion, is contemporary masculinity evolving?
TD: Absolutely. Masculinity is a theme that has opened up over the years and is also changing the perception of the human being. Today we feel more free to talk about who we are, how we look and we can also talk about delicate issues such as mental health. The human race evolves with society, and today we are able to accept much more than we once did. I find it interesting to see how masculinity has changed in the last 10 years and I hope that we continue to take different paths because today we can feel comfortable with ourselves without worrying about what other people think.
L'O: What was the writing process like for writing your autobiography entitled Coming Up for Air: What I Learned from Sport, Fame and Fatherhood?
TD: It was a therapeutic process. In the pages of my book, I tried to report everything I did, learned, and how I changed during the stages of life. Now I know where I started, which way I’m going, and where I was at some particular time. It was like reviewing old photographs or writing a diary because I kept a record of what I was doing.
L'O: Did you discover something by writing your book?
TD: I found myself thinking in an intimate way about what I went through in my personal life as well. I discovered a feeling of pride and gratitude for all that has happened to me in my life. The most important thing is the realization of how I managed to achieve my goals and to realize that it didn't happen by a series of randomness. All the things I’ve learned along the way, all the experiences I’ve had, all the times that haven’t gone well, have taught me to straighten my game and figure out how to do the right things in the future.
L'O: What are your favorite brands?
TD: I’ve always been a big fan of Kim Jones' work at Dior, but I also really like brands like Louis Vuitton and Burberry. I love JW Anderson because I think Jonathan is capable of a cool approach to knitwear, he gave me great inspiration for my brand. And of course Adidas, my long-time sponsor.
L'O: Have you ever thought about making a movie or working with your husband?
TD: That’s what we talked about on our first date. We thought it would be interesting to create a witty TV show that tells what’s going on in the Olympic village. At the moment there is no project. But who knows, we’ll see.
L'O: You came out first with your grandparents and then on YouTube. Why did you choose that platform?
TD: For me, it was the right way to say the right thing at the right moment. I said it in my own words, without the message being altered by others and without anyone asking questions.
L'O: How do you separate your work and private life?
TD: For so long I’ve only ever seen myself as an athlete and my person was defined in this way. But my performances depend very much on the values that revolve around me as a person. I think it’s important to have things outside of my work. Having a family is the most important thing in my life. I have to say that even when I knit I distance myself from everything, and from the world and my own thoughts.
L'O: How did you get into knitting and crocheting?
TD: I started doing it because I was in a phase of life where I struggled to stay still. I was always around, always on the move. My coach wanted me to find something to sit back and relax and get my energy back over the weekend. It was Lance who suggested it to me, because in the film industry so many people use their downtime to knit. After watching many tutorials, I picked up the needles. Today I can say that I'm obsessed with this world of "handmade" and I started wearing my own creations.
L'O: How was Made With Love by Tom Daley born?
TD: Initially it was just my Instagram account because I wanted to show my work without affecting my personal profile because I feared that not all my followers would appreciate knitwear. Then during the Olympics there was a lot of interest. The message I want to spread is: you can wear something different, "Made with Love" and be proud to have done it yourself.
L'O: What are the most important values that your career as an athlete has taught you?
TD: The hard work, the constant commitment. I understood that you have to look at everything in perspective. I always say to myself: "Be kind to yourself." It helps me to ignore the worst moments and go beyond the defeats and criticism. Diving is an extremely aesthetic discipline, your performance is judged on the detail, and even your fitness or weight. Every time I get off the springboard, people judge my appearance.
L'O: What has given you the most satisfaction in life?
TD: Being a father. It’s so special that it unlocks parts of your heart that you never thought you had.
L'O: What are your future goals?
TD: I’d like to have more children, but also grow Made With Love to be recognized worldwide, not just for knitwear. I'd like to have the chance to present the collections with a fashion show during London Fashion Week. I like the idea of imagining myself in the future as a fashion designer full-time.
GROOMING Louis Byrne
TAILOR Philippa Howden
PRODUCTION Mariella Ruiz
PHOTO ASSISTANT Paul Graville
STYLIST ASSISTANTS Ollie Last and Ciaran Kenny
