a sanguine sole
The first ever Ugg boots, those strange suede and wool phenomena that have, over the last decade, taken the world of fashion by storm, were actually known as ‘Ughs, and for good reason. Originally the sheepskin often had sinew, bone and sheep meat still attached! That didn’t prevent the sturdy boots, initially designed to keep surfers’ feet warm after they’ve come out of the water, from becoming cult footwear. I’ve seen at least three pairs loitering around my house and even my son has a pair. Gay or what.
But that’s not the main point of this posting, as taking centre stage is their creator, Shane Stedman. Shane, God bless him, thought he’d struck a helluva deal in 1983 when he sold the rights of Ugg to US retailer Deckers for £10,000 and three pairs of Ugg boots each year for the rest of his life. That’s three pairs of boots each year, not £10,000 and the boots, each year. Retailing at £120 a pop, they now bring in £500m annually. Doh. The still surfing Stedman, however, isn’t bitter. “I’ll never give up Sydney and surfing,” he says. “We had ten years of fun with Uggs and having fun was the main thing.”
And do you know what? I absolutely 100% believe him and what a tremendous advertisement for all that exists outside the world of greed and mass consumption. Be careful what you wish for. Good on you, Shane. Sydney however was unavailable for comment.
