Dinosaur Hampton
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
Benjamin Kelly
Photo Courtesy: Brooks Geenan
We are a design brand and custom house. We offer chainstitch embroidery services, sell and customize vintage clothing, and design goods to wear love and enjoy.
Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?
When it comes to names I like to think of things quick and stick with it. Dinosaur Hampton is the imaginary space that I see for future clothing. I came up with that in 30 seconds.
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
Inspired by vintage clothing and embroidery of the 1950's. What customers ask for the most is to customize their jean jackets. We design a retro style logo for them and embroider it on their jackets making it one of a kind and something that they will always love.
What makes your business unique to the industry?
We are still small and offer a specialized custom service, using an all original 1940's hand cranked embroidery machine. The level of skill and art of this age old craft gives story to a garment that is timeless and powerful. Turning good clothes into great clothes.
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
Finding the right people to build with. Ideas require people who not only have the skills, but share passion for a project. These people are harder to find and take a lot of investment, but the payoff is worth it when you have a team that can achieve a collective goal.
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
Most of the summer is doing pop up events. All of those were rightfully cancelled. So we have taken this time to design new pieces and focus on private clients. Help people get the absolute best piece they can now, and then when events are back, we will be packed with awesome new stuff!
What is your favorite part of what you do?
The act of invention. Creative fields of all sorts have many aspects, all of which have bits of joy and frustration. But it all requires something to come from nothing. Seeing invention happen in real time is still the greatest magic trick ever seen.
What is your *must do* local activity?
After a large project is finished, we get a celebratory meal at Mickey's Diner in St. Paul. Cheeseburger and a coffee. Day or night that food hits like a blue ribbon.
Where to find Dinosaur Hampton
Website: dinosaurhampton.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinosaurhampton