For the last ten years, UGG boots have been a love ‘em or hate ‘em fashion marvel, publicly sported by celebrities like Kate Moss and Snooki, along with everyday ‘tweens and soccer moms. Everyone in between has either sworn them off or adored them at some point.
But the brand is about more than extra warm (and totally non-waterproof) women’s footwear. UGG began as a sheepskin men’s boot, worn by surfers who needed to keep their feet warm between waves down under, at Byron Bay. By the late ‘70s, Australian Brian Smith brought the sheepskins to California and began the casual men’s sportswear line. By the early 2000s, the brand expanded to a high-end casual fashion brand, placing ads in Vogue and setting up shop in New York City.
Earlier this month, UGG Australia launched its first Toronto concept store in Yorkville. The store, designed in a trendy surf culture motif, is big: 3,060 square feet of zebra wood decor and frosted glass. And the items go well beyond women’s sheepskin slipper boots. There’s an impressive men’s and women’s collection of leather boots, wool-lined lace-up boots, Chukkas and accessories such as gloves and purses.
The collection has impressed previous skeptics, and is sure to draw in Yorkvillers and UGG lovers passing by.
UGG Australia, 23 St. Thomas St., 416-963-9468