|
The
Ugg Boot or just Uggs is a generic term for a style of
sheepskin boot which has been produced in Australia and New
Zealand for almost 200 years.
|
|
Originally the were called "Ug or
Ugh Boots" which is short for "Ugly". However an
American
Importer (Koolaburra) presented the idea that the name Ugg comes
from the way that the boot "hugs" the wearer's foot and
legs.
However because of trademark issues,
Uggs are more often than
not known in the retail world simply as Sheepskin Boots.
Originally in Australia and New Zealand this comfortable and
warm footwear was being worn by social groups such as Bogans,
westies and Bevans in public. However, most other Australians
would only wear them around the house or at the most just on a
trip to the local shop. The boots certainly became popular
during the 1960's with surfers and competitive swimmers as they
kept them warm whilst out of the water.
|
It is thought that many popular Australian actors/actresses have
probably being wearing
Ugg boots in private for some time, it
was only when Pamela Anderson started wearing a pair that she
had acquired in Australia to help keep her legs warm during
breaks in filming the popular television show Baywatch, that it
is thought people in the USA started to take an interest in
these boots.
However, since 2003 the boot has become very fashionable in
America because of the marketing of the product by an American
Company called Ugg Australia (a section of the Deckers Outdoor
Corporation). The Ugg Australia Brand was created by Brian Smith
who began importing to the USA in the late 1970's. He then sold
the company to Deckers Outdoors in 1995. Actresses such as Kate
Hudson (pictured wearing them on a poster for Raising Helen in
2004) and Sienna Miller seem to have increased their popularity.
This style of footwear has now become a major product in most
major department stores and shoes stores across the globe.
Certainly some of the more popular brands available are the Emu,
Koolaburra, UGG
and Warmbat.
However, in Canada it was found that the Ugg boot has become
extremely popular with girls at many of the Universities in
Ontario as well as on many US campuses.
Although these boots are available worldwide generally in sizes
that fit both men and women, and the styles available are pretty
much identical it seems more women than men are currently
wearing them, especially in the US. Because of this colours such
as lavender, pink and pastels have been introduced which
specially target the female market.
However, there have been a number of issues that have arisen
over the trademark of the
Ugg Boot and for some time the
trademark "ugh-boot" was owned by the Deckers Outdoor
Corporation in Australia and because of their also holding
additional international trademarks relating to the product they
were able to limit the term's use in Australia and because of
this they were able to successful sue other Ugg Importers
(Koolaburra most notably) for using the term.
The Deckers versions of
Ugg Australia, Emu, Old Friend and
Aussie Dogs are now made in China (some models are sill being
made in New Zealand). However, those produced by Koolaburra and
exported to the USA are still made in Australia.
Because of the US trademark laws you will find that many
Australian and US manufacturers who produce this style of
footwear are now marketing them as "Sheepskin Boots" rather
than
"Ugg Boots".
But in January 2006 the owners of Uggs-N-Rugs (Australia) were
able to have the Deckers Outdoor Corporations Australian
Trademark for Ugh-boot removed from the Australian Trademarks
Registry. This resulted in the decision that the words "Ug
Boots", "Ugg Boots" and "Ugh Boots" could be
interchangeable and
were a generic term for "Sheepskin Boots". However, there
was a
large amount of controversy over this matter as many Australians
and New Zealanders were opposed to having "Ugg Boots"
trademarked.
About the author:
Allison Thompson who has developed a site because of her love
of this must have footwear. For any further information relating
to this item please visit
http://www.ugg-heaven.com
|
