Get to know our owners…
Icarus Originals came to inception in 2018, after both Alan and John realised they were working on a similar design to commemorate the soon-to-be withdrawn Panavia Tornado.
John is a serving RAF Engineer who has lived and breathed fast Jets since he joined the RAF aged 18. Alan originally started his career in the RAF, until becoming a Royal Navy Engineer. However, after losing much of his eyesight during his service, Alan retired and has been registered blind for the last 15 years. This, However, has not deterred him from striving for greatness, creating a bespoke jewellery brand and even holding 2 world records for being the first blind person to row across the Atlantic Ocean and to ski from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole!!!!!
So why did Icarus Originals start?
With fashion and accessories a heavily saturated market – and one particularly difficult to break into – a product that is both bespoke and unique in design is integral for any successful business model…
Mixing fun and functionality together, John and Alan decided to create a product that could be worn by the everyday man, while embracing a topic that is close to both of their hearts.
The idea behind Icarus was to allow people to own a small piece of history, and experience the emotional attachment that comes with that. This originally started with an aircraft, but now covers classic cars, trains and (hopefully soon) space!
What was once just concorde cufflinks, has now expanded beyond their wildest dreams, with tornado pendants, HS2 cufflinks and the latest addition to their bespoke jewellery collection, the DeLorean “back to the future” bracelets. While Icaurs originals are continually expanding their unique jewellery collection, the quality and sentiment remains the exact same. Their products focus entirely on engineering excellence and achievement, honouring models that were trailblazers and innovations of their eras. Whether it’s the fastest ever Concorde model embodied in a cufflink design, or the iconic DeLorean automobile, globalised through the 80s classic “back to the future” franchises, each product holds that special piece of history with them.
As well as producing unique gifts that capture a small piece of history, the company also seeks to give back with tie ups to support good causes and preservation activities such as the RAF Benevolent Fund and Panavia Tornado Preservation Group. These charities provide a range of support aimed at serving and former RAF personnel and their dependents. This includes welfare breaks, grants to help with financial difficulty and getting about inside and outside the home, specialist advice on benefits and support with care needs, as well as support for young people.
Icarus Originals understand the importance of giving back, as they themselves have received support as a company from X – Forces and Entrepreneurs, 2 organisations that help Veterans start a business.
It’s a bit ironic really, that much of our Jewellery profits go back to helping veterans get access to adequate care after life in the forces, while honouring machinery that have had such profound effects on the industry they worked in and adore; the tornado and F35A to name a few…
Indeed, the core foundation of this business was to provide that piece of sentimental history in the form of something attractive, fashionable and functional for everyday use, which Icarus believe that have achieved pretty successfully (and so do our amazing customer base)…
“It’s more than just another cufflink or a shiny pendant, our jewellery is uniquely crafted and contoured (here in the UK) with assistance from heroes, to be worn by ‘legends’…”
Check out our online shop today to browse our new and exclusive products just in time for christmas!
