Lyla Lindsey
Ugg boots have become a staple in popular culture worldwide, but many are unsure of their origin. The term Ugg is a generic term in Australia and New Zealand, used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece. The origin of these boots can be traced back to Australian surfer culture in the 1970s, and they were introduced to California, where they gained popularity. Despite the 'Ugg Australia' branding, most Ugg boots are not made in Australia. So, were Ugg boots ever made in Australia?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of Ugg boots | Australia |
| Generic term for Ugg boots in Australia | "Ug", "ugh" and "ugg" |
| Decade when Ugg boots were popularized | 1970s |
| Decade when the earliest known commercial manufacturing of Ugg boots took place | 1930s |
| Country where the majority of the world's Ugg boots are made | China |
| Number of countries where Ugg boots are exported to | Hundreds |
| Number of countries where "UGG" is trademarked by Deckers Outdoor Corporation | Dozens |
| Number of staff employed by UGG Since 1974 | 30+ |
| Number of years Australian Uggs last | 8-10 years |
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What You'll Learn
'Ugg' is a generic term in Australia and New Zealand
Ugg boots are a unisex style of sheepskin boot or slipper that originated in Australia. The boots are typically made of twin-faced sheepskin with fleece on the inside, a tanned outer surface, and a synthetic sole. In Australia, 'UGG' is not a brand, but a product, meaning anyone in Australia can make and sell Ugg boots, and they do not necessarily need to be made in Australia.
The term "Ugg boots" originated in Australia, initially for utilitarian footwear worn for warmth, which were often worn by surfers during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The Macquarie Dictionary of the Australian language first included a definition for "ugg boot" as a generic term for sheepskin boots in its 1981 edition. The term "ugg" is considered a generic term in Australia and New Zealand, used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece.
The trademarking of the UGG name has been the subject of dispute in several countries. Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a US-based company, acquired the UGG brand in the mid-1990s and trademarked “Ugg Australia” in many countries, including the United States. In 1999, Deckers began asserting its new trademark and sent out cease-and-desist letters to Australian manufacturers that were selling sheepskin boots using the UGG trademark. In response, some Australian manufacturers formed the Australian Sheepskin Association (ASA) to fight the corporation's claim, arguing that "ugg" is a generic term referring to flat-heeled, pull-on sheepskin boots. The ASA found evidence in newspapers, magazines, and telephone directories in Australia, the US, and the UK, with some evidence dating back to World War 1. The evidence was taken to court in 2005, and the Trademark Office declared the terms “ugg boots”, “ug boots”, and “ugh boots” as generic and could be used by anyone in Australia to refer to sheepskin boots.
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Deckers Outdoor Corporation owns Ugg Australia
UGG Australia was established in 1981 and has been manufacturing Australian sheepskin footwear for four decades. The company is proud of its Australian heritage and the quality of its products, which are crafted from real sheepskin and made in Australia. However, despite the 'Ugg Australia' branding, UGG products owned by Deckers Outdoor Corporation are not made in Australia. Deckers Outdoor Corporation is a US-based or Californian company that acquired the UGG brand in the mid-1990s. The company trademarked "Ugg Australia" in many countries, including the United States, China, Japan, and the European Union. Deckers Outdoor Corporation's UGG products are mass-produced in China and exported worldwide.
The term "ugg" has been used generically in Australia and New Zealand for decades to describe sheepskin boots. In Australia, 'UGG' is not a brand but a product, and any company can make and sell Ugg boots without necessarily making them in Australia. This has led to legal disputes between manufacturers over the use of the term "ugg." Deckers Outdoor Corporation has sent legal threats to Australian sheepskin manufacturers over their use of the term, claiming to own the "ugg" trademark and arguing that Australian companies were misleading consumers.
On the other hand, UGG Since 1974 is an entirely Australian-owned, third-generation, family business based on the Gold Coast in Queensland. The company handcrafts premium Australian-made Ugg boots and employs more than 30 staff to create their products from start to finish. UGG Since 1974 has no connection with any other UGG company, including Deckers Outdoor Corporation's UGG brand.
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The origin of Ugg boots can be traced back to Australian surfer culture
In the 1970s, advertisements for Australian-made Ugg boots began appearing in Californian surfing magazines, and local shops started stocking limited numbers of the boots. The trend caught on in the United States, and Australian surfer Brian Smith moved to California with a suitcase full of sheepskin boots. Smith trademarked the term "UGG" in America and set up UGG Imports with a friend. The business grew, and in 1985, Smith registered the trademark "Original UGG Boot UGG Australia". In 1995, Smith sold Ugg Holdings to Deckers Corporation for $14.6 million, and the new owners moved production overseas.
Despite the "Ugg Australia" branding, Deckers' Ugg boots and slippers are not made in Australia. Instead, they are mass-produced in China and exported worldwide. However, it is possible to buy genuine, Australian-made Ugg boots from companies that take pride in their Australian heritage and the quality of their handcrafted products. These companies argue that "ugg" is a generic term in Australia and New Zealand, used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece.
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Australian manufacturers have been producing sheepskin boots since the 1970s
It is a common misconception that all Ugg boots are made in Australia. In reality, only about 4% of the world's Ugg boots are manufactured there, while the majority (approximately 96%) are produced in Asian countries like China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Despite this, Australian manufacturers have been crafting sheepskin boots since the 1970s. The term ""ugg" is a generic term in Australia and New Zealand, used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece. These boots have been a staple in Australian culture for decades, with their origins dating back to the 1920s and even earlier. Sheep shearers wore them as they found them resistant to the lanolin in sheep's wool, which would otherwise rot their ordinary boots. During World War I, Australian and British pilots also used sheepskin to line their boots, dubbing them "flying Ugg's" or "uglies" to ward off frostbite during unpressurized flights.
The earliest known commercial manufacturing of these boots was in 1933 in New South Wales by the Blue Mountains Ugg Boot Company, followed by Frank Mortel of the Mortel's Sheepskin Company in the 1950s. Mortel claims he was the first to name his boots "Ugg boots" in 1958 after his wife remarked that they were "ugly."
In the 1970s, advertisements for Australian-made Ugg boots began appearing in Californian surfing magazines, and local shops started stocking them. The boots gained popularity in California, particularly among surfers, adding to their global appeal. This led Australian surfer Brian Smith to trademark the term "UGG" in America and establish UGG Imports. In 1985, he registered the trademark "Original UGG Boot UGG Australia."
Today, there are still Australian companies producing and selling genuine, Australian-made Ugg boots, such as UGG Since 1974, a trademarked, family-owned company based on the Gold Coast in Queensland. They handcraft their Ugg boots from real sheepskin and sell them within Australia and through their online store.
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Ugg boots are not a brand in Australia, but a product
Ugg boots have been a staple in Australian culture for decades. The term "ugg" is a generic term in Australia and New Zealand, used to describe sheepskin boots lined with fleece. Sheepskin footwear accounts for around 10% of footwear production in Australia. In Australia, they are worn predominantly as slippers and are associated with a particular fashion sense and culture.
Despite the 'Ugg Australia' branding, Deckers' uggs and slippers are not made in Australia. Instead, they are mass-produced in China and exported to hundreds of countries worldwide. Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a US-based company, acquired the UGG brand in the mid-1990s and trademarked "Ugg Australia" in many countries, including the United States. The company also purchased unused trademarks in Australia in the late nineties, including the terms "ugg", "ugh", and "ugh boots". Based on these claims, Deckers sent legal threats to several Australian sheepskin manufacturers over their use of the term "ugg".
However, it is important to note that "UGG" is not a brand in Australia, but a product. This means that anyone in Australia can make and sell Ugg boots, and they don't necessarily have to be made in Australia. In fact, the majority of Ugg boots sold worldwide are manufactured in Asia, with only a small percentage being made in Australia.
Australian companies that sell Ugg boots take pride in their heritage and the quality of their products, which are crafted from real sheepskin. These companies have been producing high-quality sheepskin boots since the 1970s and have no affiliation with Deckers Outdoor Corporation. For those who wish to purchase authentic Australian-made Ugg boots, it is important to do their research, as they are not easily found outside of Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
While the term "UGG" has been used generically in Australia for decades to describe sheepskin boots, the majority of UGG boots (about 96%) are made in Asia.
The origin of UGG boots can be traced back to Australian surfer culture in the 1970s, where they gained popularity in California.
Yes, there are some companies that sell UGG boots made in Australia, such as UGG Since 1974, an Australian family-owned company based in Queensland.
According to retailers, consumers were attracted to UGGs not just because of their look but also because they were made in Australia, as Australia and its products were extremely popular at the time.
There are different claims to the origins of the UGG boot, but its history is undoubtedly Australian. One source claims that the earliest known commercial manufacturing of the boot was in 1933 in New South Wales by the Blue Mountains Ugg Boot Company.
