The power of 3

For three Christchurch mums, a chance meeting at the gate of Farleigh Kindergarten in Merivale sparked a creative partnership that birthed a business. Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen meets the founders of the luxury scarf brand known for its craftsmanship, stories, and heart.

Some of the best things in life come in threes – three wishes, three acts in a play, and, in this case, three extraordinary women who turned a shared idea into a flourishing fashion brand. Meet Amie Bingham, Amanda Barker, and Kate Brown, the trio behind Dark Hampton, the Kiwi company whose scarves are becoming a staple in stylish wardrobes across Aotearoa – and increasingly, Australia.

Born from creative curiosity, entrepreneurial drive, and genuine friendship, Dark Hampton is more than a brand. It’s a story of three women who leaned into their individual strengths, trusted each other, and built something elegant and meaningful.

“We first connected over kindergarten drop-offs,” Amanda remembers. “We saw each other daily and just started talking.”

“Our friendship was easy,” continues Amie. So we did coffees and we had play dates with the children. Then the children got closer to age five and we thought, ‘how do we get to hang out together once our children are at school?’”

The trio became running and dog-walking buddies, and soon, business ideas started flowing. “We realised we had complementary skill sets,” says Amie. “I came from sales, Kate had logistics and marketing, and Amanda brought design expertise.”

Autonomy over routine
The biggest motivator? None of them wanted to go back to a 9-to-5 once their kids started school. Ideas ranged from importing spas to launching greeting cards. The vision to focus on scarves came from a casual shop visit. “A saleswoman mentioned how hard it was to find really good scarves,” recalls Amie. “That was a defining moment,” Amanda adds.

Scarves were the perfect product – lightweight for posting, great for gifting (Amie’s obsession), and ripe for design storytelling.
Their first collection launched in October 2019 with five designs and 200 units each; with Merivale’s Treasure Box by Biani as their debut retailer. The first sale? A Cashmere-modal scarf called The Hunter – still a customer favourite. Today, Dark Hampton is stocked in more than 50 stores across New Zealand, including leading department stores.

The name Dark Hampton came from a brainstorm of evocative words. Amanda had recently visited the Hamptons, a place that symbolised elegance and aspiration.

Complementary strengths fuel success
What makes Dark Hampton truly unique is the dynamic trio behind it. Amanda, the design perfectionist, ensures every detail meets her exacting standards. Amie and Kate bring a pragmatic, action-focused energy that drives the business forward.

“I’m naturally a perfectionist,” Amanda admits. “But Amie and Kate remind me, ‘finished is better than perfect.’ That mantra keeps us moving.” With three decision-makers, disagreements are rare and easily resolved. “There’s always a tie-break, which is handy,” Kate laughs. “More importantly, we trust each other completely.”

Their close friendship is the glue holding the brand together. “We’re a package deal,” Amie says. “Clients don’t just buy scarves – they buy into all three of us.”

The women have also carved out a niche in corporate gifting, creating bespoke, co-branded scarves for companies looking for something authentic. “We only partner with brands that align with our values,” Kate says. “It’s about building lasting relationships, not just quick sales.”
“We don’t chase influencers or viral trends,” Amanda explains. “We want genuine advocates – people who truly love our scarves.” Instagram helps build community and brand awareness, but sales come from trust and connection, not marketing gimmicks.

Scarves with substance
For Amie, Amanda, and Kate, success is defined by joy and sustainability. “If our scarves make someone happy, that’s a win,” Amanda says. “We want to create pieces that bring colour and meaning to everyday life.”

The focus has always been on steady growth. “We believe in 0.001% improvement every day,” Amie says. “Small, consistent steps build something lasting.” The trio also prioritises community involvement, regularly participating in events like the Pink Ribbon Breakfast, reinforcing their commitment to causes close to their hearts.

Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward: “Just start. Start before you feel ready. “Waiting for perfection just slows you down.” Amie adds, “Find partners who complement your skills – whether that’s creativity, business, or execution.” And resilience is key. “Every ‘no’ is just a step closer to a ‘yes’.”

Looking ahead, Dark Hampton aims to expand into the Australian market while maintaining the lifestyle balance that keeps them grounded. Collaborations with female artists and creative brands will continue to inspire new collections.

From fortuitous beginnings at a kindergarten gate, Dark Hampton is more than a business for this powerhouse trio – it’s a celebration of friendship, creativity, and purposeful design. As Kate puts it, “We’ve built something together that reflects all of us – our stories, our passion, and our belief in the power of three.”