This product was discovered in an interview with Fiona Anastas. Read full interview here.

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“Ugg boots have been in my life for as long as I can remember,” says Fiona pointing to her feet.

 

The lamb meat from Australia and New Zealand is prized for its quality all over the world. As such there are a lot sheep there. A natural by-product is the use of their leather and wool. Since the leather of a sheep is not as thick and sturdy as cows, the fur is left on the leather and what you are left with is what Australians call “lamb’s wool.”

 

Lambswool rugs or throws can be found in Australian houses. Ugg boots are made from lamb’s wool and were originally boots with just a rubber sole. “They were home slippers and not a fashion item. They certainly weren't something you wore outdoors”.

 

(And here is where we had our classic “did you know?” moment)

Fiona goes on, “Ugg or ugg boots for us is a very common term, and a household term used to describe a type of house boots. So multiple manufacturers made what was called the ugg boots. In the late 90's, an American company trademarked the term UGG, which made it difficult for local Australian manufacturers to call their products Uggs and they were forced to call them with a more generic term like "lamb’s wool boots." Although, since a widely used common name like in this case “ugg boots” cannot be trademarked, Australian manufacturers fought the case against UGG brand and won the case in 2006. UGG still owns the trademark rights outside Australia and trademark rights on its logo in Australia.