In Australia, the name "ugg" is a generic term for sheepskin boots, often worn locally as slippers. In the US, it is a brand - and big business for one company. This has set off an intriguing ...

FASHION fans are only just realising that they’re probably NOT wearing real Uggs despite spending a fortune on the boots.

Australian surfer Brian Smith conceived of the UGG brand back in 1978, when the pairs of sheepskin boots he brought with him on a visit to California were snapped up by admiring beach bums.

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1 at 66th St.-Lincoln Center; B, C at 72nd St. Australian surfer Brian Smith conceived of the UGG brand back in 1978, when the pairs of sheepskin boots he brought with him on a visit to California ...