“ It was an ideal I had as a child, a more comfortable style of dress for men. I wanted to help them get away from the jacket-and-tie routine, to something more comfortably suited for the island’s climate.” – Ivy Ralph
Regarded as one of the pioneers of the Jamaican fashion industry, she was famous for designing practical wear for Jamaican men in the 1970s. Ivy Ralph created the ‘kareba’ ( bush jacket and pants), for then Prime Minister Michael Manley and in so doing, started a fashion revolution for men that went worldwide. There were different versions of the kareba – formal, business and casual. And all were enthusiastically embraced by Caribbean leaders and as far afield as the African continent. The late World Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Ali sported the kareba and at one time, so did Pop icon Michael Jackson.
Although there was a decline in its popularity, as it became associated with the political philosophy of Democratic Socialism, that some argued was close to communism; today it has resurfaced in the United States as ‘Untuck It’ a shorter, sportier version of the bush jacket.
Mrs. Ralph was also a member of the DIVA Foundation, founded by her daughter, noted American Actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph. DIVA brings awareness to HIV/AIDS globally.
Ralph’s fashion influence extended far beyond the seams of her signature suits. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of New York, she possessed a sharp eye for design and a deep understanding of cultural context. Her work reflected not just style, but also a sense of national identity and post-colonial pride. By reimagining traditional formalwear through a Jamaican lens, she helped men step into their power — comfortably and confidently.
The Kareeba became the official uniform for many in Michael Manley’s People’s National Party during the 1970s. It was later adopted by regional leaders like Errol Barrow of Barbados, Forbes Burnham of Guyana, and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania. The outfit — worn without a tie — mirrored the social and political mood of the era: forward-thinking, anti-colonial, and distinctly Caribbean.
In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Ivy Ralph was awarded the Order of Distinction in 1999 for her contribution to the promotion of Jamaican fashion. Her daughter Sheryl Lee Ralph often referred to her as “the original diva,” even reimagining the OD as an acronym for that very phrase: “Original Diva — divinely inspired, victoriously audacious.”
In interviews, Sheryl Lee Ralph has spoken with pride and admiration about her mother’s legacy. “I remember reading a half-page article above the fold in The New York Times about how my mother was changing men’s fashion in the Caribbean,” she recalled. “And I thought to myself — ‘Wow! That’s my mommy.’”
Ralph’s influence lives on through The House of Ivy, a fashion brand rooted in her design philosophy and legacy. With timeless appeal and an unshakable cultural foundation, her vision continues to inspire designers, artists, and creatives across the globe.
Ivy Ralph passed away at the age of 90, but her legacy as a fashion innovator and cultural icon remains stitched into the very fabric of Jamaica’s story.
Pioneer : The first to develop or apply a new area of knowledge or activity
