Ugg
In 1978, entrepreneurs Brian Smith and Doug Jensen started Ugg Imports Inc. Jensen left after one year for other business commitments, so Smith is widely considered the founder of the brand. Born in Australia and an avid surfer, Smith was living in Santa Monica, Calif., while he studied business at UCLA. He realized that the sheepskin boots from his native home (called “uggs”) were not available in the U.S., so he decided to import and sell the shoes in the States.
In June 1995, Deckers Brands (then known as Deckers Outdoor Corp.) acquired Smith’s company for $14.6 million. Under Deckers, the brand expanded beyond the beaches of Southern California, creating more winter sports products. And in the early 2000s, it started a fashion craze, garnering scores of celebrity fans, including Oprah, Paris Hilton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Moss, Beyonce and many more.
The Ugg Classic Short boot is the brand’s most iconic style. Over the years, the brand has introduced different variations, including the Classic Mini and the Classic Ultra Mini Platform. Other popular styles in the collection include the Bailey Bow boot, the Tasman slipper and the Adirondack boot.
While Ugg initially imported its sheepskin boots from factories in Australia, the majority of its products are now manufactured in Asia.
Ugg
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