About
Millionhands is a fledgling British label that started life in 2009. We make tasteful tees that reflect our lifestyle, inspirations and interests, be it music or a caring-sharing attitude. We also collaborate with a musical pioneer or two. So far we’ve linked up with London’s Heavenly Jukebox, Oslo’s Smalltown Supersound, Chicago Acid House hero Adonis and Ghent’s Eskimo Recordings. More to follow soon. Millionhands is eco-conscious without being pious and we create with the planet in mind – many of our T-shirts are 100% organic cotton and manufactured using wind and solar energy, and most are Fair Wear certified (which means they’re sweatshop free). Our tees are screen-printed in the UK and delivered from our seaside HQ in Hove. We are a work in progress, and happy to be that way, learning and evolving as we go... we hope. If you want to know what's on our radar, inspiring us, or making us laugh, then check out our blog and read our team Q&As, on the tabs above.
Tom Mangan - MILLIONHANDS FOUNDER
Your three favourite records?
Slipping into Darkness by War, Don't turn your back on me by Frontline Orchestra and String of Life by Rhythim is Rhythim.
What’s your favourite song lyric?
"You may find yourself living in a shotgun shack" from Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads. The modern gentlemen's garden construction of choice.
Best gig you've been to?
Prince, Run DMC or more recently Sheun Kuti.
What’s on your radar right now?
Sheun Kuti after the amazing gig the other night. The XX still doing it, as is floating Points & Joy Orbison. Business books of all shapes and sizes.
Most visited blogs and websites?
http://the99percent.com/ - interesting site for thinking and doing, http://beatelectric.blogspot.com/ - for a disco education.
Favourite film of all time?
Difficult to choose one specifically, though have enjoyed Donnie Darko, The Lives of Others, The Kite Runner, The Empire Strikes Back and Breakfast Club more than most.
Describe your style:
Acne, Levis, Vans, Nike, some vintage (second hand) attire. My style is casual, jeans, t-shirts and a decent pair of trainers or shoes.
What's the best T-shirt you've owed?
A white Levis Vintage, 50's cut, tubular construction in pima cotton. Love it.
What are your favourite local hangouts?
I live in Hove and spend a lot of time walking up and down the promenade or in The Lion & Lobster for a pint. In London I’m a fan of Phonica Records, Selfridges, Uniqlo for shopping & plastic people for dancing.
Eggs – how do you them?
Soft boiled or hard-soft boiled, on white sourdough bread with chilli sauce, Maldon Sea Salt and a cheeky grind of pepper.
What would you do if you had a million hands?
Get more designs done while washing up, having a shave, drinking a cup of tea and answering my emails. Though this may also require several different heads and brains... so perhaps go to a petting zoo and do some 'multi-petting'. Regular, not heavy.
Molly Gunn - MILLIONHANDS MULTITASKER
Your three favourite records?
Wordy Rappinghood by Tom Tom Club, Off the Wall by Michael Jackson and All Night Long by Lionel Richie.
What’s your favourite song lyric?
"Do you feel like a chain store, practically floored?" – from Coffee and TV by Blur.
Best gig you've been to?
Basement Jaxx at Brixton Academy when I was 23. Ravetastic. Also recently loved The XX at Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
What’s on your radar right now?
I’m working my way through all the novels by Jonathan Coe and Evelyn Waugh. Dreaming of Design Hotels. Vintage shopping on Ebay. Drinking Browns Brothers Tarrango and Pukka Teas. Having Espa Massages. Listening to 6 Music and Fleetwood Mac. Using CameraBag iPhone App. Beach BBQing. Spending quality time in a dinghy and getting to know the sea.
Most visited blogs and websites?
Millionhands blog ;) My-Wardrobe.com, Ebay, Dazed Digital, Thetrainline, The Brighter Sparks, Guardian.co.uk and my new favourite thing = Groupon!
Favourite film of all time?
True Romance: best cast, story-line and costume mix ever. Dennis Hopper RIP - his scene with Christopher Walken is my favourite of all.
Describe your style:
Effortless chic. I enjoy wearing Karen Walker, Cos, Cheap Monday, Osman Yousefzada, See by Chloe, Acne, APC and charity shop bargains.
What's the best T-shirt you've owed?
A black racer-back vest I bought from H&M 5 years ago. It’s threadbare but I still love it, I’ve never found another vest cut like it.
What are your favourite local hangouts?
Local Hove hangouts are the beach, Giggling Squid Thai, Atlantis Fish & Chips, Anka Beauty, Brighton Dome, The Picturehouse and uber-kitsch Bali Brasserie. In London I love The Wolseley for breakfast, Moro for tapas and Haymarket Hotel for stopping over.
Eggs – how do you them?
The breakfast burrito way: with spring onions, chilli, cheese and tomatoes on a bagel. Plus coffee and the morning papers.
What would you do if you had a million hands?
I'd cartwheel along the beach and speed-swim to France.
Lee Murray - GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Your three favourite records?
Uptown Top Ranking by Althea & Donna, Walk the Night by Skatt Brothers and Body Language by Booka Shade.
What’s your favourite song lyric?
I like the whole song from Ryan Adams - Come Pick me up, but a lyric that sticks from that is "In your favourite sweater, With an old love letter."
Best gig you've been to?
It has been a while, but Bestival 2006 was a brilliant weekend gig. If that counts.
What’s on your radar right now?
I'm still loving The XX - feels like a good album for summer right now. Also like Kele Okerek's from Bloc Party's new song Tenderoni. I'm secretly looking forward to the new Karate Kid movie. I have just started to read How to be a Graphic Designer, without losing your soul by Adrian Shaugnnessy, Summer is great for shows especially free ones. I’m going to the RCA Summer show and some UAL shows. Also looking forward to seeing British Art now part one at the new Saatchi Gallery.
Most visited blogs and websites?
Noisydecentgraphics.typepad.com, disenistica.blogspot.com, creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog, kunstformen.blogspot.com.
Favourite film of all time?
The Graduate - When I first saw it at the tender age of 12 it was like porn what boy didn't want a Mrs Robinson.
Describe your style:
Hairy, T-shirt, jeans and cardigan wearing geek. Peter Sellers meets Danny Wallace. I don't wear labels other than on my feet.
What's the best T-shirt you've owed?
Millionhands T of course - everyone comments on the A-Z O Face. Used to have a thing for Fido Dido T's pre-teens as well. But I know you won't print secrets.
What are your favourite local hangouts?
I live in South West London. I love the common in summer, The Royal festival Hall cinema club on Saturday Mornings (when it's on). French Cafe on the Balham borders for a local breakfast. The Kings Head on a Tuesday for a good Pub Quiz. My Back Garden is new entry this year, have lived in London six years and I have missed not having one and can normally be found trying to be creative there. All I need now is a man shed.
Eggs – how do you them?
Poached. So when you cut into them they pop yolky goodness all over your plate.
What would you do if you had a million hands?
Do more for myself. Or invent a 32-hour clock so I could.
Clare Dover - PR WIZARD
Your three favourite records?
All My Friends by LCD Soundsystem, Rej by Ame, and if I had to pick a third, Club Tropicana by Wham - the heads behind Millionhands will know why!
What’s your favourite song lyric?
"Let's get physical" from the song of the same name by Olivia Newton John.
Best gig you've been to?
Oooooh tough choice! Depeche Mode in Lisbon was pretty special but Animal Collective at Glastonbury still rates as one of the best live acts I've seen. Festival moments are nearly always the best.
What’s on your radar right now?
I'm loving pretty much anything music wise from Caribou, Memory Tapes, Yeasayer (most of the acts that are on the bill at this years Melt! Festival, which I'm heading to in July). And DJ wise I'm liking Actress, Kyle Hall, Tensnake and Floating Points amongst others. I do like a good book too. A Light Hearted Look At Murder by Mark Watson was a recent read that made me chuckle and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into Stieg Larrson's trilogy.
Most visited blogs and websites?
DUMMY and FACT for music, Le Cool and Kultureflash for arts and cultural happenings and I nearly always return to Popbitch for the Old Jokes Home.
Favourite film of all time?
True Romance and Point Break (...I'm not a film buff!)
Describe your style:
Schizophrenic and thrown together. Elton & Jacobson and Norwegian Wood Jewellery are recent discoveries. And I'm obviously partial to a Millionhands tee or two.
What's the best T-shirt you've owed?
Best and worst in one really. Horrible T-shirt I bought to prove I jumped the world’s highest bungee jump. Never been worn but it's a nice reminder of my carefree days in South Africa.
What are your favourite local hangouts?
I’m in East London... I eat breakfast at Bistroteque, swim at the London Fields Lido, cycle along the canal, drink at The Palm Tree and dance at The Drop.
Eggs – how do you them?
Poached and runny with asparagus soldiers - yum!
What would you do if you had a million hands?
Break the world high-fiving record.
Alistair Duggin - TECHNICAL GENIUS
Your three favourite records?
Unplugged by Nirvana, OK Computer by Radiohead and Everything Everything by Underworld.
What’s your favourite song lyric?
"You've got to have a dream, if you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?" from Happy Talk by Captain Sensible.
Best gig you've been to?
Daft Punk – Wireless Festival 2007.
What’s on your radar right now?
Looking forward to seeing comedian Daniel Kitson perform ‘66a Church Road’ next month.
Most visited blogs and websites?
BBC Wildlifefinder.
Favourite film of all time, and why?
Reqiuem For a Dream. Stunning – in every sense.
Describe your style:
Carharrt and Nike Air Max.
What's the best T-shirt you've owed?
A dark blue t-shirt with ‘dog or die’ in a large yellow font on the front - was a great cut and people always used to ask me about it when I wore it.
What are your favourite local hangouts?
I'm in South London and love The Bolingbroke for a Sunday roast.
Eggs – how do you them?
Scrambled.
What would you do if you had a million hands?
Hi-five the world.
