HELLO POSSUM: US President Barack Obama wearing an Untouched World merino & possum pullover.

The founder of a Kiwi clothing company is thrilled to see the "most powerful man in the world" wearing her threads.

United States President Barack Obama was photographed wearing a merino and possum fibre sweater by Christchurch-based Untouched World while making Thanksgiving calls to US troops yesterday morning.

The National Party says the jumper was a present from John Key.

Snowy Peak founder Peri Drysdale, whose company created the Untouched World brand 16 years ago, said she was "absolutely thrilled" to get the presidential seal of approval.

"That implied endorsement is really valuable. There couldn't be a better endorsement - he's the most powerful man in the world."

Obama was not the first famous face to don the Kiwi brand.

Former US President Bill Clinton is known to love the brand, and was snapped wearing an Untouched World polo in 1999, later describing it as the "smartest garment" he was given in seven years of being president.

In 1999 and 2002, Clinton was seen shopping at Untouched World's Auckland store, and in 2012, Prince Harry wore a pullover by the brand while hanging around at the London 2012 Olympics.

Drysdale said the photograph of Obama wearing her product had already "spiked" the number of online enquiries being made to the company's website.

"I just think it's a really nice warm happy shot, which just invokes the spirit of Untouched World as comfortable and relaxed," she said.