It’s hard not to spot a pair of UGGs when you walk outside, whether you’re seeing someone quickly step outside in sweats for a trip to the corner store, a high schooler showing off her new shoes to a group of envious friends, or a girl out on the town who’s too cool for a kitten heel. There’s something about that slouchy brown boot that can’t seem to get out of style, or at least has never departed many people’s closets. These days, they’re even inescapable on the runway, in new iterations that have been expanding the design codes of the brand.
Pipenco’s collaboration focused on the boot, working with the plush material to mirror their focus on expressive knitwear. Fluttering wefted dresses, gowns boned at the hem giving them a scalloped wave, and fuzzy Lorax-like skirts imposed a mycelium nature on the overall presentation. Combined with the slouchy UGGs, the models seemed to be exploring through the underbrush, discovering earthworms and scattered treasures.
In contrast, Dauphinette paired UGG ballet flats with delicate satin and chiffon looks, employing hand-painted florals and bows on the suede shoes to reimagine them as wearable art. The pieces were modest but architectural, and at times humorous, with trompe l’oeil printed pearls on the front of one dress and cockroaches scattered across another. The ballet flat UGGS as companion footwear to this collection rounded out a wardrobe for the postmodern princess’ trip to The Nutcracker.
