Tim Cahill talking fashion and of course the World Cup

From modest beginnings, he would go to the local park as a five year old and have a kick with his father and brother. When he was eight years old, he decided he wanted to be a footballer and growing up, he was often doubted by coaches and told he would be too small to ever play soccer professionally. Fast forward a bit, and Tim Cahill has not only scored the most goals by any Australian in the World Cup but has recently relocated from London to New York City to enter a new chapter of his career. While he continues to excel as an elite athlete and is gearing up for his third and final FIFA World Cup in June, he is now pursuing one of his other passions; Fashion.
Cahill has teamed up with the Aussie menswear label, Shoreditch London for their Autumn/Winter campaign. The ‘Theatre of Dreams’ campaign has been such a success that Cahill is in the process of designing a collection of his own, ‘Shoreditch by Tim Cahill’. After relocating to England for the past 17 years and then making the move to America 16 months ago, Cahill was spoilt for choice and has developed an appreciation for fine clothing.
“My line with Shoreditch is a project that I’m really excited to be undertaking. Fashion has been something that I’ve always been passionate about and to be able to have my own line of clothing is a dream come true. I’ve loved going over fabrics, looking at styles and cuts and giving my own influence on the range based on the things that I like to see in clothing. I think that people can expect to see a range of suits, jackets and also lifestyle clothing that offers really high quality fabrics and styles at a price that is affordable for the everyday guy.”
When you think of the soccer star, Fashion is not what comes to mind. However, it is something which Cahill has been involved with for a great deal of time and he describes having his own line as a dream come true. His interest has given him the privilege of meeting designers such as Ted Baker, Donna Karan and Bonnie Young as well as a long-standing friendship and association with Giorgio Armani.
“To be able to see their views of fashion and share with them my own has been an honour and helped shape my tastes in fashion today which I have reflected in my line with Shoreditch.”
The FIFA World Cup is fast approaching in June and Cahill is gearing up and training harder than he ever has before. As the first Australian to ever score a goal in the World Cup and our top all-time goal scorer, he is one of the most experienced members of the squad heading off to represent Australia in Brazil. With 90 minutes to create something special on the world’s biggest stage, Cahill describes the mix of pride, nerves and excitement as being like nothing else.
“The atmosphere at the World Cup is electric. When you walk out onto the field for the first time you definitely feel like you’re dreaming. I’m lucky to be representing Australia for a third time in consecutive World Cup’s – I feel we have a real opportunity to excel in Brazil for me to score another goal would be a dream come true.”
“You’ve got your teammates surrounding you and you know in your mind that there’s an entire country that is cheering you on in the stadium and back home. It’s something I will be able to look back on and be so proud of at the end of my career.”
When Cahill is not training for his next game or collaborating with Shoreditch London for his upcoming clothing line, he is giving back to grassroots football and providing opportunities for kids to follow their dreams of playing. The ‘My Foxtel Tim Cahill All-Star Academies’ have spread throughout Australia and given thousands of children the opportunity to learn the skills of the game and have access to professional coaching.
“I just want to make sure that I can be a good influence on any kids who might look up to me and show them that if you work really hard you can become anything that you want to be, regardless of where you started from. I’m lucky enough to be in a position to offer kids the opportunities that I never had growing up.”
Tim Cahill has proven that his abilities go far beyond the field with his creative bug being showcased through his clothing line which we can expect to see in 2015. But at the heart of the Aussie soccer legend, the budding fashion designer and the inspiration to many, is his family.
“In my free time I love to spend time chilling out with my wife and 4 amazing kids. They definitely keep me busy but family is the most important thing in my life and my favourite way to spend time away from the game. Whether it’s kicking a ball in the backyard with my sons or taking my daughter to her horse-riding classes, family is number one.”
Head over and check out our friends at Shoreditch
www.shoreditchlondon.co/