Untouched World resumes links with the Clintons

Untouched World’s Peri Drysdale resumes links with the Clintons

When it comes to timing, Untouched World’s Peri Drysdale doesn’t miss a beat.

US Secretary of State Former Hillary Clinton received a stylish Untouched World merino outfit as an official Government gift in Wellington yesterday and she was gifted another Untouched World designer clothing item at the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch today.

The item given to Senator Clinton yesterday was purchased by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Rugby World Cup organisers. All Untouched World garments carry the United Nations UNDESD (Decade for Education in Sustainable Development) logo, awarded to only three corporate entities in the world and no other clothing companies.

Some years ago US President Bill Clinton made Untouched World more famous when he stepped into their Auckland store to buy a bundle of clothing for him, Hillary and their daughter Chelsea.

World leaders at the 1999 APEC forum in Auckland all wore Untouched World gear including Clinton.

``I met President Clinton during APEC and he kindly didn't wear his provided jacket so the media could see our shirt,’’ Drysdale said today.

Drysdale hosted Chelsea and Mrs Rodham for a day at the leaders’ partners day and she gave them Merinomink shawls as official gifts. She met up with the President again in Christchurch at a gala dinner a couple of days later. He suggested he would return again to one of the Untouched World shops.

``Right after the 2000 elections, Hillary Clinton's campaign managers, a husband and wife team, came in to Untouched World and said they were sent by the Clintons to see me. They had a coffee and picked up some garments they took back to USA.

``When the President came back to NZ the next time, I was in Australia with Helen Clark. He called me and said he was in our store in Auckland. He had asked Jenny and Burton Shipley how to get there, and invited me to visit him next time I was in New York.

``Next third he came to New Zealand I met with him, Helen Clark, Jenny Shipley, and Jim Bolger in a short private chat shortly before he headed away. He later emerged from his hotel wearing an Untouched World top.’’

Drysdale met Bill Clinton again two years ago in Asia.

So it was not too much of a surprise that Untouched World was chosen as an icon of New Zealand quality and design to give to Hillary Clinton on her visit here.

Drysdale is the founder and owner of Snowy Peak Ltd which has the Untouched World brand, with stores in Queenstown, Christchurch (two), Auckland and Wellington.

Many of the Hollywood stars wear Untouched World clothing including Felicity Huffman,
Reese Witherspoon, Joaquin Phoenix, George Clooney, Michael Keaton, Tom Hanks, Naomi Watts, Denzil Washington, Keifer Sutherland, Anthony Hopkins and Tom Cruise.

``I’m just thrilled to have the opportunity for Senator Clinton to enjoy these Untouched World pieces. She always looks smart and is the ultimate role model. She sets a punishing pace and needs effortless style befitting the most powerful woman in the world,’’ said Drysdale, a former New Zealander of the year and supreme award winner of the World Class New Zealander Awards.

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