Untouched World’s Peri Drysdale named NZer of year

Media release – December 13, 2005

Untouched World’s Peri Drysdale named New Zealander of the Year

Untouched World fashion leader Peri Drysdale has been named North & South magazine’s New Zealander of the year.

Ms Drysdale, who has an MBE for services to manufacturing and export, received the award at a function in one of her Christchurch store. The magazine is out on bookshelves today.

North & South said Ms Drysdale was a New Zealand businesswoman and entrepreneur who had vision for the country.

She is a successful exporter of top of the range lifestyle New Zealand-branded fashion wear.

North & South editor Robyn Langwell said Ms Drysdale was a ``wonder woman: tenacious, tireless and truly inspiring’’.

``Where others see barriers she just sees fences to climb and opportunities to be grasped with both hands. She has guts and guile wrapped in a gorgeous glamour package and her business integrity and conviction stand as a lesson to us all.”

Ms Drysdale said she was honoured to receive the award.

``I can only accept this on behalf of all the Snowy Peak and Untouched World people who help make our brand what it is today. I am just the face that represents all these people. Without them I couldn’t have won this,’’ she said.

New Zealand Silver Ferns netball captain Adine Wilson said Ms Drysdale deserved the accolade.

"This is a fantastic and well deserved award for an extremely hard working person. Peri has great ethos, helps promote NZ overseas and she has an outstanding product in Untouched World.

``She is a real icon of the NZ fashion industry and I wish her all the best for this award.''

Ms Drysdale and Untouched World have been riding high with the Hollywood set.

Cameron Silver, named in Time magazine among the world’s 25 most influential fashion people, said he loved Untouched World gear.

Phil Keoghan, the presenter on TV’s Amazing Race, said his Untouched World merino wool top was his favourite item of clothing.

Untouched World is one of 20 luxury products from around the world invited to be presented to A list celebrities at the Oscars and Golden Globes.

It’s just part of the trend for Untouched World since Bill Clinton and other world leaders wore the gear at the Apec leaders’ conference in Auckland in 1999. Clinton has since returned to NZ and bought more UW gear for his family.

Untouched World has four stores – two in Christchurch, one in Auckland and one in Queenstown. Its new shop in Christchurch’s arts Centre includes the national headquarters for the Untouched World Foundation.

The foundation is providing many young New Zealanders with leadership and life skills.

ENDS

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