Mr Clarke and his wife, Rebecca Crawford, from Closeburn Station, are travelling to Japan next month for the launch of the trial range, which was designed by apparel company Konaka using Closeburn's 15 micron wool instead of cashmere.
They will be accompanied by Philip and Wendy Wareing, of Big Ben and Mt Arrowsmith stations in Canterbury, who secured an international contract, extending Konaka's new wool corporate range from one label to two.
The latest contract was for 70 tonnes (greasy) of the Wareings' 18.5 micron wool to extend the Konaka range to include suits under a second label.
The promotion of both labels would focus on New Zealand as the point of difference when the range was launched in Japan on September 20, a month ahead of schedule.
More than 100 media representatives were expected and Shuzo Matsuoka, a celebrated Japanese tennis player-turned television sports commentator, was ambassador for the range.
Mr Clarke was able to try on one of the Closeburn coats during a recent karate-related visit to Japan. His other passion, apart from farming, is karate.
He described the coat as "beautiful" and it was particularly special that it was all Closeburn wool, rather than a blend.
He was also delighted the coats were under the Closeburn label.
Closeburn Station has been in the Clarke family for 90 years and three generations.
In April, a delegation from Japan went to the Maniototo to meet the Clarkes, look around the property and record the deal for the trial shipment in person.
Yesterday, Mr Clarke said they were "taking small steps" and their aim was to sell their entire clip to Konaka and be involved with the company.
He was impressed with its gusto in a difficult economic environment and hoped the inclusion of complementary labels would lead to further successes for New Zealanders.
"The energy and commitment to bring forward their launch when most people are delaying is quite special in today's financial climate," Mr Clarke said.
A second delegation, including Konaka senior managing director Kaoru Yamazaki, a representative from Japan's largest advertising agency, a Japanese photographer based in New Zealand and Kento Nagao, senior trader from Nagao Shoji, has been in New Zealand this week.
They have experienced the sights, smells and tastes of the country - from the shearing shed to helicopter vistas - to take back to Japan and transform it into a marketing campaign.
Mr Yamazaki was impressed by the scenery, the blue sky, the number of sheep, the friendly people - and bungy jumping.
He took the plunge near Queenstown and it was commented that he was the first customer wearing a suit and tie.
However, it was appropriate, given Mr Yamazaki was from a company that made suits, Mr Nagao said.
H. Dawson NZ senior trader Craig Smith said Konaka's drive and momentum were impressive.
The company was determined to make the trial of a new range of suits and coats a success, and with that success came opportunities for New Zealand growers.
There was real potential and with Konaka's marketing story "all around New Zealand", the spin-offs were greater than just for wool growers, Mr Smith said.
Coming to New Zealand was most unusual for Konaka, which was seeking traceability and validation of its wool, Mr Nagao said.
The company normally used Australian wool but believed it was time for a change and that meant it was "New Zealand time", he said.
With headquarters in Yokohama, Konaka Co Ltd has more than 400 retail outlets throughout Japan to carry the range.
Mr Clarke said it was impressive that 80,000 people passed through the doors of one Tokyo store each day.
"That is a lot of exposure for New Zealand," he said.
