It was our version of CBGB at the time.

The parallel felt fitting with everything going on, he said.

The goings on in question: Thompson and his 5000 label are finalists to the CFDA/VogueFashion Fund this year.

Image may contain Clothing Skirt Blazer Coat Jacket Shorts Person Standing Adult Tartan Grass Plant and Footwear

Thompson has a solid opportunity of making this cut, and his many ingenious interpretations, a 5000 signature.

Image may contain Clothing Skirt Blazer Coat Jacket Shorts Person Standing Adult Tartan Grass Plant and Footwear

Image may contain Clothing Coat Jacket Person Standing Grass Plant Blazer Face Head Photography and Portrait

Image may contain Clothing Coat Face Head Person Photography Portrait Grass Plant Adult City and Jacket

Image may contain Blazer Clothing Coat Jacket Formal Wear Suit Footwear Shoe Grass Plant City Face and Head

Image may contain Blazer Clothing Coat Jacket Grass Plant Person Standing Face Head Photography and Portrait

Image may contain Clothing Coat Footwear Shoe Person Teen Grass Plant Standing Face Head and Photography

Image may contain Clothing Coat Jacket Pants Blazer Person Walking Grass Plant Jeans Face Head and Photography

Image may contain Clothing Formal Wear Suit Blazer Coat Jacket Grass Plant Face Head Person and Photography

Image may contain Blazer Clothing Coat Jacket Skirt Grass Plant Face Head Person Photography and Portrait

Image may contain Lucy Evans Beachwear Clothing Dress Evening Dress Formal Wear Adult and Person

Image may contain Fashion Adult Person Clothing Coat Footwear Shoe and Shorts

Image may contain Child Person Beachwear Clothing Footwear Sandal Cup Shoe Flower and Flower Arrangement

Image may contain Clothing Dress Evening Dress Formal Wear Adult Person Fashion Gown and Beachwear

Image may contain Clothing Dress Footwear Sandal Adult Person Skirt Evening Dress Formal Wear Fashion and Shoe

Image may contain Lucky Blue Smith Flower Flower Arrangement Flower Bouquet Plant Potted Plant Performer and Person