Squiz Shortcuts: The woolly history of UGG boots

May 21
11 mins

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Episode Description

UGG boots are an Australian invention loved by millions of people around the world. But while the concept is ours, the right to use the UGG name has been the subject of a long legal fight. Earlier this month, the Aussie credited with launching the boots commercially in modern times, Shane Stedman, died… He was the first to trademark the term ‘Ugh boots’ and sell them to surfers, paving the way for them to become a global fashion staple. It’s quite a ride, so strap in for a bit of a different Squiz Shortcut, where we look at the origins of the UGG boot, Stedman’s legacy, and the fight over the UGG name.


Squiz Recommends: 

Listening: This radio interview by Tim Webster on Sydney station 2SM with Shane Stedman’s son, Luke, talks about Shane's early days as a surf reporter and his connection to UGG boots

Reading: This piece from The Conversation dives into the fight over the UGG name…


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Hosted by Andrew Williams and Alice Dempster

Researched by Larissa Huntington


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