UGG: 40 Years, Celebrating 4 Decades of Convention Defying Style
We all know an UGG® product as soon as we lay eyes on it, don’t we? The simple, laidback shapes, soft suede textures and of course, the cosy sheepskin lining, make each boot, slipper and accessory instantly recognisable throughout the world. Celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2018, UGG® have launched an extra special marketing campaign to mark the milestone. The LuxPad takes a look at the UGG: 40 Years campaign…
UGG® was founded in 1978 by Australian surfer, Brian Smith, on the Californian coast. The original boots were a huge hit with the relaxed, casual lifestyle of the beaches of southern California and they quickly became a symbol of the area’s culture. In the decades since, UGG® transitioned into a fashion industry authority first worn by Hollywood royalty and fashion editors, then the world.
Continuing to show what it means to live the California lifestyle by being bold, provocative and free spirited, the brand’s iconic designs are still seen throughout their collections and their attitude to quality and craftsmanship remains uncompromising. For their 40th year, UGG® has envisioned a new future by teaming their most popular icons with icons in fashion, innovation and art. These unique individuals showcase the next generation of the brand.
Adwoa Aboah and Heron Preston make up the first phase of these icons and are the stars of the initial launch campaign. Already a household name Adwoa Aboah, was a perfect choice to front the UGG®: 40 Years campaign. Known for her bold personality, the model and activist rewrites the script on what it means to be a modern woman. Challenging traditional standards of beauty, she champions unconventionality and builds a safe space for women to discuss mental health, sexuality and body image without stigma through Gurls Talk.
‘OUR CREATIVE VISION FOR THE ‘UGG: 40 YEARS’ CAMPAIGN WAS NOT TO LOOK BACK BUT TO SHOW FORWARD, WITH THE HELP OF OUR INCREDIBLE CAST OF TALENT, ARTISTIC DIRECTION AND HOMAGE TO OUR CALIFORNIA HERITAGE, WE WANTED TO SHOWCASE THE BRAND IN A FRESH, NEW WAY.’ - SAID IAN STEWART, VP MARKETING
The brand’s most significant marketing initiative ever, UGG: 40 Years has been brought to life by photographer Erik Madigan Heck who is known for creating elaborate and surreal environments in his work. Transporting Aboah and Preston in their iconic boots to sunlit forests, flower strewn meadows and rocky crags surrounded by crashing waves, he has brought fine art sensibility to the campaign by reimaging iconic Californian landscapes. The likes of Big Sur and the Red Wood Forest can be seen transformed in the imaginative sets with bold patterns and colours.
The classic chestnut colourway takes centre stage for UGG: 40 Years celebration, one of the brand’s most instantly recognisable and longstanding shades. The rich, warm hue, perfect for autumn/winter can be seen across the entire UGG® collection from slippers and boots, to gloves and hats.