UGG boots

The UGG brand has a complex history rooted in Australian surf culture. The term 'ugg' originally referred to a generic style of sheepskin boot popular among surfers in Australia during the 1960s and 70s. The brand itself was brought to the United States in 1978 by Brian Smith, an Australian surfer who saw a market for these functional boots in Southern California.

In 1995, the brand was acquired by Deckers Brands, a major American footwear company. While the brand is culturally Australian, the 'UGG' trademark (registered by Deckers) is globally recognized and operated out of the United States. Today, the vast majority of UGG production takes place in manufacturing hubs across Asia, including China and Vietnam, though some smaller independent Australian manufacturers continue to produce 'ugg-style' boots within Australia under different localized trademarks due to varying regional international trademark laws.