“Ugg” boots made of genuine sheepskin are an Australian icon.
The following text is from Wikipedia;
“Ugg boots are a unisex style of sheepskin boot originating in Australia. The boots are typically made of twin-faced sheepskin with fleece on the inside, a tanned outer surface and a synthetic sole. The term "ugg boots" originated in Australia, initially for utilitarian footwear worn for warmth, and which were often worn by surfers during the 1960s. In the 1970s, the boots were introduced to the surf culture of the United Kingdom and the United States”.
So, with so many "knock offs", made all over the world, how can you be sure you are purchasing genuine Australian Made “ugg” boots?
First, we need to dispel the misconception that many people have that UGG Australia boots are made in Australia. Ugg Australia (or now UGG) is a huge multinational brand and although many of its products are made of sheepskin, they are not made in Australia, or necessarily of Australian sheepskin. Ugg Australia is owned by Deckers Outdoor Corporation of Goleta, California. Again, let’s refer to Wikipedia for the facts:
“Deckers Outdoor Corporation, doing business as Deckers Brands, is a footwear designer and distributor based in Goleta, California, United States. It was founded in 1973 by University of California, Santa Barbara alumina, Doug Otto and Karl F. Lopker. In 1975, the company was incorporated in California under the name Deckers Corporation. In October 1993, Deckers initiated a public offering of stock in its company.
Deckers portfolio of brands includes: UGG, Teva, Sanuk,Hoka One One and Koolaburra”.
In 1995 Deckers purchased a U.S. company called UGG Holdings that owned a U.S. trademark for the UGG Australia brand. But Deckers sheepskin boots are not made in Australia. According to Wikipedia again; “UGG is a brand manufactured by the California-based Deckers ..., with most of its manufacturing based in China”. So, if you are looking for genuine Australian made ugg boots, the original ugg boots, be wary – there are many copies and many branding deceits that are not what they purport to be.
The next step is to check the branding carefully. Most Australian Made ugg boots will have the words Made in Australia embedded in their logo and printed on the item, or on a tag attached. The most secure way is when the logo is incorporated into the design in such a way that it has to be attached during the process of manufacture, like our Aussie Uggs heel counter which has Made in Australia prominently stamped across the heel.
In Australia (and in most other countries), it is illegal to make false Country of Origin claims and very heavy penalties apply to those who infringe it. In Australia the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regulates consumer law and the oversight of Country-of-Origin claims.
https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/advertising-and-promotions/country-of-origin-claims
When the country of origin is stated clearly on the item in such a way as could only be incorporated during manufacturing process, it gives added comfort to the buyer that what they are buying is genuine and made where it says it is made. It is much harder and more risky for copyist to fake Made in Australia claims when the claim is embedded in a logo such (as with Aussie Uggs logo) it is an integral part of the boot or shoe, such as the heel counter.
Sewn in tags are another means of showing the item is genuine. Sewn on tags also, but these are easier to add after manufacture.
Australia Made Campaign Licensing.
The famous green and gold kangaroo logo you see above and attached to Australian made products, is administered by the Australian Made Campaign Ltd (AMLC). Originally this organisation was set up by the Australian Government, but the AMLC is now an independent, not for profit, company. It is charged with licensing and overseeing the use of the logo on products that are genuinely Australian made. The use of the logo must meet criteria set out in Australian Consumer Law and the AMAG Logo Code of Practice.
“For more than 35 years, the AMAG logo has helped thousands of brands communicate their Australian credentials to consumers, businesses and all levels of government. It does this instantly and clearly, making it a powerful sales and marketing asset for authentic Aussie brands, and a helpful shopping aid for consumers around the globe”.
https://australianmade.com.au/why-buy-australian-made/about-the-logo/
Aussie Uggs parent company Downunda Souvenirs is licensed to use the Australia Made logo (License 649), and you can check on the Australian Made website above to confirm this. Above are Aussie Uggs Boots displaying the Australia made logo. Below is a copy of our license.
