Tom Daley launches Pride clothing collection to support an amazing LGBTQ cause
The Olympic diver’s new ready-to-wear Pride Collection supports the "incredible work" of LGBTQ+ non-profit Rainbow Railroad
Words: Emily Maskell
The latest capsule collection from Tom Daley’s fashion label Made with Love by Tom Daley is a cheerful Pride-themed collection fit for summer.
From sales of cropped vests and pastel sweatshirts, 100% of all profits will go to Rainbow Railroad.
Described as a charity close to Daley’s heart, Rainbow Railroad is a Canadian-based LGBTQ+ non-profit organisation that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals escape state-sponsored violence and persecution in their home countries by providing the resources and assistance needed to get to safety.
Rainbow Railroad’s collaboration with international governments was instrumental in evacuating queer people from the extrajudicial killings and torturing in Chechnya, saving the lives of many.
Rainbow Railroad also announced a UN-endorsed project last year to aid the 300 known LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya, who faced discrimination, violence and abuse.
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Daley states the genesis of his Pride collection was to raise money that could directly contribute to the amazing work of Rainbow Railroad: “It’s awful that they’re even needed, but I’m glad they’re there doing incredible work.”
He adds it is the experience of travelling around the world that has opened his eyes to be “grateful to live in a country where I don’t have to fear for my life.”
“As an athlete, I’ve visited countries where it’s illegal to be me, but protected by the international rules for competing athletes,” he continues. “But that’s not the same for our LGBTQI+ family around the world who face violence and oppression simply because of who they are.”
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While he wasn’t launching himself off 10-meter diving boards during the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, the 28-year-old diver could be seen knitting in the stands, a stress-relieving activity that calmed him before and after competing.
That penchant for knitting led to the creation of his fashion label, Made With Love, in November 2021. While the initial collection was a 15 piece knitting kit, the brand has since added ready-to-wear pieces, the Pride collection being the latest addition.
Comprised of hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts and vests for both adults and children, Daley’s Pride collection is centred around ‘waves of love’ imagery: clothing items brandished with ‘love’ in rainbow lettering.
You can shop Tom Daley’s Pride collection on Made With Love: bytomdaley.com
You can read more about the work of Rainbow Road here: https://www.rainbowrailroad.org