British eyewear at its elegant iconic best
Founded in 1886, Curry & Paxton is steeped in optical history, from supplying the post war NHS with glasses to designing the classic Yvan frame, as championed by Sir Michael Caine both personally and in various acclaimed film roles including as British spy character Harry Palmer, and Charlie Croker in The Italian Job.
Curry & Paxton, an embodiment of true British style, carries a century-long legacy in its extensive eyewear collection housed at Rivington Street Practice. The 100-year archive boasts not just opera glasses and binoculars, but also motoring shades and ski goggles. Celebrating a century since its incorporation, Curry & Paxton’s eyewear selection honours its rich past while appealing to all generations.
One of their most iconic frames might be their model YVAN, and when it comes to style icons, few exude the effortless cool and sophistication of the London-born Michael Caine during the peak of his mid-Sixties swagger.
The original frame worn by Michael Caine throughout the 60’s off and on camera as the Iconic Harry Palmer in Len Deighton’s spy films.
The classic frames worn by Sir Michael Caine in both “The Italian Job” and the Harry Palmer films, these dark tortoiseshell frames are made from 100% high-grade cellulose from world-renowned Italian manufacturer Mazzucchelli, featuring five-barrel hinges and genuine pin fastenings for maximum strength and durability.
This particular frame is part of their 1886 collection, which embodies their commitment to British quality, innovation and the enduring spirit that has defined Curry & Paxton since its inception in 1886.
About Curry & Paxton
The company was originally founded by Joseph Pickard and William Curry in 1876 under the name Pickard & Curry. Based at 195 Great Portland Street, London, it specialised in the design and manufacturing of ophthalmic instruments and parts, many of which were granted patents. It was the first company to develop in both sides of the optical trade, this being dispensing and manufacturing, and the diverse range of its creations was simply astounding. Today, we are proud to have a museum-worthy arsenal of archival instruments and parts to remind ourselves of our innovative and premium quality past.
The instruments Pickard & Curry excelled in producing were prescribed to the burgeoning eyewear industry in which Britain, and more specifically London, was at the epicentre.
In 1886, George Paxton Snr joined the company following Mr Pickard’s retirement, however, it wasn’t until 1920 that the firm became incorporated as Curry & Paxton Ltd.
Over the 20th century, eyewear evolved from a medicinal tool to a fashionable accessory, with the industry booming and thousands of spectacles produced in various styles and materials. Notably, tortoiseshell gained popularity for its lightweight strength and colour variety. The company secured several patents, such as the ‘Improvement in Goggles’ in 1939, catering to outdoor sports and aviation needs. These century-old products, guided by The College of Optometrists, have been redesigned for modern use.
During World War Two, the company contributed to the war effort, producing special items like gas mask glasses and aircraft parts, even earning a Royal Warrant in 1943. Post-war, the Health Service Act of 1948 boosted business, with the company supplying free spectacles to 13 hospitals. Embracing fashion and culture changes, Curry & Paxton featured on Tatler’s cover in 1959, symbolising glamour and sophistication.
The 1960s marked the company’s most notable era, as their eyewear starred in movies like ‘The Ipcress File’, ‘Funeral In Berlin’, and ‘The Italian Job’, worn by Michael Caine both on and off-screen. These iconic glasses, identified by the unique three-dot pin work, cemented Caine as a style icon and sold at auction in 2006 for £6,600, affirming Curry & Paxton’s influence on 60s style.
Read more about this brand on TEF Magazine or visit their website.
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