Icarus FC: the Custom Kit Maker defining what is possible in the global football kit market.

I recently interviewed Robert Smukler about his new custom kit company that has taken the American soccer community by storm. In the age of copy and paste templates by giant kit makers like Nike and Adidas, Icarus stands out among the rest in design.

Enjoy this interview founder Robert Smukler as we discuss the interesting topics of kit design, its place in the American soccer community, and much more.

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What inspired you to create your own custom kit company? 

I've always had an interest in uniforms and how they reflect a teams identity and spirit. I've been drawing logos for imaginary teams for as long as I can remember. Working in a start up gave me the confidence to launch my own business and so I decided to combine my love of sports, history and design into a business.

Why do you like soccer? How did you get into it growing up? 

Been playing the sport since I was 4 or 5. Played all sorts of sports but was only good enough in soccer to play collegiately. Other than that I love the global appeal and the history of the game. I'll read anything that combines soccer with history, politics and culture.

What does Icarus mean? 

Icarus is an important figure in Greek Mythology. He famously flies too close to the sun wearing wings made out of feathers and wax. The sun melts the wax and he crashes to the sea and drowns. Think this is a good analogy for starting a business as well as being a sports fan.

The Legend of Icarus, the inspiration behind Icarus FC's name.

What do you see for the future of this company in the short term and the longer term?

Short term we'd like to climb the American soccer pyramid and outfit larger and larger clubs. Eventually we'd like to be seen as a major supplier for all levels of soccer.

Do you think you would ever sign kit manufacturing contracts with larger pro teams in America or around the world?

Yes absolutely. As the business grows and we gain more financial and cultural capital this would definitely be of interest.

Where do you draw your inspiration from for the interesting concept designs? 

Some combination of classic football kits, art history, history and geography. I love flags and heraldry so love to incorporate symbols and motifs from history.

What is your favorite kit design that you have created? Why?

(pic of it as well to publish if you have it)

My favorite has to be the FC Stroitel Pripyat Kit. It's been our highest selling store product and launched our historical series. The freedom to create something like that reminds me how fun this job can be.

The famous FC Stroitel Pripyat shirt that has been a hit among the American soccer community.

What is your favorite part of the production process? Why?

Favorite part by far is pre-production when I first get to put together concepts. I love doing research and figuring out what makes sense for each team from an aesthetic, cultural, geographic and historical perspective.

The Hawaii Football Federation concept shirt, one of the many concept kits in pre-production.

The Venice Republic kit, based off the Venetian Republic flag.

Just some of Icarus's kits that have made it past pre-production for small amateur clubs & supporters groups.

What has been your favorite part about owning/creating Icarus FC? 

The ability to make this a full time job has been great. Ultimately the best part is getting to make something unique for a client that they can treasure for the rest of their lives. 

Are you optimistic about the growth soccer in America? Where do you see the sport in five years? 

This would be a bad industry to be in if I wasn't optimistic about American Soccer. While the pro/rel situation isn't ideal at all, the amount of clubs being created and interest in the game is unbelievable. Also there is genuinely incredible work coming out of the soccer design community that has created a rising tide which I think will carry the industry for quite some time.

Where do you potentially see the kit world in a few years time? 

I think the focus on kits will be to make them look more and more like a lifestyle brand. Kit culture and streetwear are overlapping at a growing rate and I think you'll see teams and manufacturers focused on making their kits appeal to more than just their fans.