Kariba suit
A Kariba or Kareeba suit is a two-piece suit for men created by Jamaican fashion designer Ivy Ralph in the early 1970s to be worn on business and formal occasions as a Caribbean replacement for the European-style suit. The suit was popularised by Michael Manley, the leader of the People's National Party. After the party came to power in 1972, Parliament passed a law affirming the correctness of the outfit for official functions and Manley, by now Prime Minister, wore a fancy black one when he met Queen Elizabeth II. The style of the jacket is a formalised version of a safari jacket common in Africa, worn without a shirt and tie, making it more comfortable clothing for a tropical climate.
The style of suit were also popular with other politicians such as Errol Barrow prime minister of Barbados, Forbes Burnham president of Guyana and Julius Nyerere president of Tanzania. In 1999 Ivy Ralph was awarded the Order of Distinction for outstanding contribution to the promotion of fashion.
