Ugg are famous for making one thing and one thing only and that is sheepskin boots. The original Ugg boots were strange looking boots, which nonetheless have taken the fashion world by storm. However, they were not an instant success.
The origins of these, now iconic, boots is a bit murky. For decades, boots made out of sheepskin that looked very similar to modern Uggs were worn in rural New Zealand and Australia. This is not surprising when you consider that both countries breed sheep on an industrial scale. At some point, in one of these countries, someone decided to produce these boots commercially.
The Early Ugg
Again exactly, who was the first to do this is not 100% clear. The Blue Mountains Ugg Boots company was founded in 1933. Given that this company specialised in making products out of Australian sheepskin and cowhide it seems likely they were one of the first to make them commercially. However, their claim to be the first is hotly disputed.
Stories about an Australian surfer called Shane Stedman are widespread and because he trademarked the name, many people credit him with being the first commercial producer of this style of boots. Shane had been making his version of the sheepskin boots in his garden shed for years and selling them to locals and had registered the trademark UGH-BOOTS in 1971. In 1982, he registered the trademark UGH-AUSTRALIA, with a sun logo. He sold these trademarks to another Australian surfer called Brian Smith.
Eventually other footwear manufactures were making them too. Amongst them were Bruce and Bronwyn McDougall the founders of Uggs and Rugs. The list of people in Australia and New Zealand who made them is long and some can prove they were making sheepskin boots that look more or less the same style of boots as far back as the 1950s.
Ugg Today
Understandably, the brand splintered. Today, there are several companies making sheepskin boots that use the name or something very close to it. Ugg Australia is one such brand. They have a reputation for making high-end sheepskin boots. Recently, they have branched out into other footwear. The look of these iconic boots has gone upmarket and the footwear they produce looks more fashionable than the original Ugg boots did.
At Ugg Australia you can buy a fantastic selection of sheepskin footwear, including boots and slippers.