ABOUT US
Music has always been a massive part of my life. I spent years deep in London's underground scene, DJing across pirate radio stations, with most of my time spent on the legendary Chillin FM 102. I also produced music, specialising in the future garage sound, releasing tracks through labels including V.I.M Records and Future Follower Records.
From digging through vinyl and spending countless hours behind the decks to designing graphics, that underground influence has never left me. It's always been part of who I am, and naturally, it's found its way into Jump the Dark.
I've always had a thing for darker artwork, hidden meanings and designs that make you look twice. For years I wanted to build something of my own around that passion, but like most things in life, there was always a reason to put it off.
It was my wife and daughter who gave me that final push to stop talking about it and actually make it happen.
What started in a cramped basement, juggling everyday life, work and printing, eventually grew into our own dedicated print studio here in London. A proper space to bring ideas to life, with everything designed and printed in-house using a mix of printing techniques.
As the brand has grown and orders have picked up, my wife Leyla has stepped in to help with printing and production to keep up with demand as well as focusing on her own very succesfull baby hamper business Ema and Boo. It's still very much a hands-on, family-run operation, and that's something I'm proud of.
(Check out Ema and Boo here)
We've also welcomed another little addition to the family, so finding those quiet hours to sit down and get lost in designing can be a challenge. But when you've got a genuine passion for something, you always find a way to make it happen.
One thing I've always been serious about is looking after the people who support us. From the quality of our prints to how we handle orders, customer service and satisfaction are right at the top of my priorities. I want people to feel confident buying from us, knowing that real care and attention goes into what they're getting. It's not just about making a sale; it's about building a brand people can trust and want to come back to.
Every piece we put out has a bit of us in it. Some designs are loud, others are more subtle, and plenty carry meanings that aren't always obvious at first glance. That's part of the idea. We don't just want to put graphics on clothing for the sake of it.
Jump the Dark isn't about following what's popular or trying to fit into a particular scene. It's about taking everything that's influenced me over the years — music, art, street culture and life itself — and turning it into something of our own.
We're still building, still learning and still pushing things forward. Seeing people from different corners of the world wearing something that started as an idea in my head is a feeling that never gets old.
If you've made it this far, thanks for taking the time to get to know a bit about what's behind the brand. And to everyone who's supported us along the way, whether you've bought something, shared a post or simply spread the word, it genuinely means a lot.
The streets have always been the real runway.
Love to you all,
Dino
Founder / Creator — Jump the Dark