Taylor Hinds: ‘’It’s cemented in men’s football, so why not bring fashion to the women’s game?’’

Not only is Hinds a strong advocate for the growing connection between fashion and football, she also believes in the power of community within women’s football. ‘’I think you need people around you, whether that’s your family, friends, coaches to achieve something so monumental and far reaching. You can do things by yourself, but it’s easier to have help through a lot of people. It just makes life easier, and I think it’s generally quite nice as well to experience these journeys with others,’’ Hinds told Versus. 

Community within the women’s game

Working towards a shared goal and the idea of giving back to the community has a strong presence in the women’s game according to Hinds. ‘’I think as women we’re really emotionally intelligent. So when it comes to uplifting one another and supporting those in our networks, people who have helped us on the way, it comes quite naturally. It hasn’t been an easy route for a lot of women in football, we’ve had to experience a lot of barriers that men’s players haven’t. When you get to a place you’re happy with and feel successful, you feel the need to share that with the people who’ve helped get you there.’’

‘’You make so many friends in football,’’ says Hinds. ‘’Not just friends that you’re close with, they become mates for life. And then they become family. I said the other day, ‘if I had a wedding, how many people would I invite?’ I’m going to have so many wanting to come!’’ 

The advice from Van de Donk

She also spoke about the valuable advice the Dutch footballer Daniëlle van de Donk gave her when she was younger and still playing for Arsenal. ‘’I was really close with Daniëlle van de Donk and she was unbelievable with me. She just told me that I need to keep working hard because sometimes you can mentally switch off a bit when things aren’t going your way and when it’s getting tough. And that sounds really simple but for her to go out of her way to speak to me is meaningful. For her to just be like, ‘honestly, keep doing what you’re doing, keep working hard. I know it’s hard right now, but you will get your opportunity’, it meant a lot.’’ 

Another piece of advice that always stuck with Hinds came from her father. ‘’I think first and foremost if you’re happy then you can be confident. That’s one quote that my dad told me when I was younger, ‘if you’re happy in your heart and you work hard, it can get you far’. It’s so simple but that has got me where I am today. I’m happy, I’m enjoying myself, and I’m playing at my best.’’