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Have You Met Yvan
The 1960s remains one of Britain’s most iconic decades — a moment in time that continues to resonate, inspire, and, perhaps inevitably, invite a little envy.
Youth culture came alive with a new voice and a newfound sense of individuality. Music followed suit — bold, energising, impossible to ignore — with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones creating a soundtrack that still echoes today. Then came 1966: England’s World Cup victory, a moment of pure national euphoria that defined the decade’s spirit.
Style evolved just as dramatically. Fashion broke free — expressive, colourful, unapologetically bold — standing in stark contrast to the restraint of previous years. At home, colour television brought it all together, transforming culture into a shared, living experience.
And then there was cinema. It was here, on screen, that Curry & Paxton became part of the story.
Michael Caine: The Face of Sixties Swagger
If one figure captured the attitude of the era, it was Michael Caine.
Born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr., Caine embodied a distinctly British confidence — sharp, self-assured, and effortlessly charismatic. With his East End roots, distinctive voice, and unmistakable presence, he became a defining figure of sixties film and style.
And with him, a frame that would become just as iconic.
The Yvan Frame — From Screen to Cultural Icon
Caine wore Curry & Paxton’s Yvan tortoiseshell frames throughout the 1960s, first appearing in The Ipcress File (1965), the debut of the Harry Palmer series.
A deliberate departure from the polished world of Bond, Palmer was grounded, understated — and sharply dressed in his own way. The Yvan frames became central to that identity: intellectual, distinctive, and quietly confident.
They remained a constant across Funeral in Berlin (1966) and Billion Dollar Brain (1967). Whether worn with a macintosh, overcoat, or in more intimate, off-duty moments, the frames were instantly recognisable — defined by their signature pin detailing at the temples.
By 1969, Caine reached new heights with The Italian Job — a film that remains a benchmark for cinematic style.
Here, the Yvan evolved. Opticals gave way to sunglasses, but the essence remained: confident, understated, unmistakably modern.
An Icon, Preserved in Time
In 2006, Caine’s original Yvan optical frames from The Ipcress File were auctioned at Christie’s, achieving £6,600.
More than a collector’s piece, the sale affirmed the enduring cultural significance of the frame — and its role in defining the visual identity of an era.
HANDMADE IN ENGLAND
SHOP THE YVAN COLLECTION
Over the last 80 years The Yvan frame has become part of British popular culture - a true Icon in every sense of the word. The frame is Handmade in England using the finest materials available and features the famous 6 pin logo (actually part of the 7 barrell hinge). Availoanble in Sunglasses and Optical frames, as you choose, depending on whether you're feeling Harry Palmer or Charlie Croker
