Introducing Thames MMXX at NOTE

Thames MMXX – the brainchild of Blondey McCoy – is bold as hell, known for quality and not afraid to do stuff a little differently (the installation and product launch this Friday is not to be missed).

We’re buzzing to have the London brand on the roster and before the launch later this week we thought we’d give a quick rundown of the lore behind Thames MMXX.

Thames MMXX History

Thames MMXX – Roman numerals for 2020 – started back in 2012 as a GCSE project from a young McCoy. Shortly after, Blondey started making t-shirts and other printables. Even back then Thames London (as it was named back then) had a strong vision and some of the humour you’d recognise today. 

“I tend to think of the chapter that ensued as Thames’s adolescent years, meaning it didn’t very well know what it wanted to be when it grew up. But, eventually, I did.”

At the time Blondey was part of the PWBC (Palace Wayward Boys Choir) crew and after 3 years or so of working on Thames London, the brand started a partnership with Palace which saw them grow from just producing tees and other printables to developing cut and sewn garb like jackets, rugby tops and more. Having been part of Palace for years, modelling and riding for them being under the Palace umbrella was a good fit and saw the brand reach new heights.

In 2019, the partnership between Thames, Blondey and Palace ended and Thames London was paused. Less than a year later, Thames MMXX was born. This new iteration is what we know today – the bold, unique, quality-focused brand with an acute attention to detail and recognisable wit. Everything you’d expect from the firebrand founder Blondey McCoy.

Thames MMXX Brand

Think Palace DNA meets Savile Row, with Blondey’s own tongue-in-cheek spin and you’ll be close to what Thames is all about. The apparel the brand serves up is an assortment of influences. Skateboarding, high-fashion, luxe garb, Westwoodian punk, mod tailoring, Britpop staples, terrace casuals clobber – Thames pulls from all of it. The result? Heavyweight cotton wares, premium outerwear, sumptuous knits and luxury accessories. All of which wouldn’t be out of place at your next job interview or a gallery event to shmooze po-faced art types and sup free wine.

The World Around Thames MMXX

Thames MMXX has always been more than a product line. They’re known for some highly pleasing edits like Lords of Dongtan, Raw Pigeons and Absolute Habibis. But also more recently for the Blondey Way Series – a comedy series featuring an almost exclusively Thames MMXX adorned wardrobe. Collaborations span from Adidas and Hunter to the Francis Bacon Estate and British artists Gilbert & George, proof that Thames can move between the skate industry and the art world without missing a beat.

Not only that but the brand’s team is growing. With the likes of Jarrad Carlin, Gabriel Summers (Thames’s first pro), Kai Etheridge, Alex Pires, Waylon Bone, Ludvig Håkansson and of course Blondey McCoy, Thames is shaping up to be brand with some serious firepower. And an honourable mention must go The Gonz – who has collaborated with Thames and has been seen sporting the garb on more than one occasion.

Thames MMXX at NOTE

We’re stoked to have Thames in the stockroom and this first batch of stuff is piping hot. We’ve got their Bread and Butter Tees that are essential. Decks taking influence from Greek mythology, decks made with Francis Bacon and decks for huffing a Belvedere. Shirtage that’s pretty damn suave. Denim that is as weighty as a brick. Outerwear that’s making us dream of autumn. And accessories that might get a few looks from security in Arndale Aldi.

All of this stuff will be available to purchase online and in the shop this Friday. If you’re in Manchester be sure to come down to the Thomas Street outpost for the launch event and installation.