Left: Another example of Mawuli's exquisite and detailed artistry. Right: Professor Rex Nettleford's cream-embroidered shirt from India.

The University of the West Indies is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and one of it's most outstanding graduates is Professor Rex Nettleford. He wears many hats, including founder/artistic director of another Caribbean institution, the National..

To say the region in general and Jamaica in particular are proud of him is putting it mildly. So, this week, Flair congratulates our Prof Nettleford in our unique way. Like all other normal people, our Prof Nettleford has his own distinct sense of style and he shared it exclusively with us.

He says, 'I do not like things around my neck." So, there are no suits and ties in his closet (unless it's a costume for a dance). He loves the feel of fabric and way back when, used to pick up material for his mom on his travels overseas.

His trim frame is in fantastic shape, even though there is no rigid exercise regimen and he has no airs about changing into each shirt while explaining where they came from.

Favourite designer

His favourite designer is Ghanaian Mawuli Kofi Okudzeto whose work is detailed, neat and eclectic for the range of fabric, patterns and textures he uses. From formal to casual, he makes it.

Before her death, Nettleford wore suits he designed and Millicent Matthie made. He also uses a tailor based in Spanish Town, St Catherine, and Arlene Richards of the company does some pieces for him, too.

Nettleford's favourite colours are white, blue and black.

"I always loved the casual look and designs from Africa, I am not loud in my rebellion but my taste in clothes was not about rebellion, I just drifted into it. When I went to Africa, I was impressed by the clothes."

But Nettleford would not wear full African regalia because he thinks they look like costumes on West Indians, plus he has the stage to wear costumes. "My pieces are muted and do not draw attention to me. I am not into the European designer labels and I find Mawuli very creative. He has an outlet in New York."

Left: This black and white stripe is a soft woven cotton and hand-made. It features a fringe at the hemline. Right: This blue plaid shirt is from Nigeria.

Left: A much younger Rex Nettleford in the '70s when the Black Power movement influenced many men to wear dashiki- styled shirts. Right: Stepping stylishly in a Millicent Matthie creation. - Contributed

Left: Right: Professor Rex Nettleford loves books, and has written many of his own. He wears one of Ghanian designer Mawuli Kofi Okudzeto's designs. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Nettleford is relaxed in this standing- collar light-blue shirt. - Contributed In his words, "there's nothing like black on black," and this is another from Mawuli's collection. - photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer From time to time, Professor Netttleford dons a traditional stripe buttoned-down shirt. - Contributed