ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2013 33 ‘Original boot style most popular’ Ode to Ugg: In or out, boots have staying power By Samantha Critchell T ake that, trend-watchers: Ugg Australia’s now-classic boots in their comfy, cozy glory are still going strong after 35 years, having just celebrated their anniversary this month at all the company-owned stores. The sort-of-clunky sheepskin boots have been declared “in” and they’ve been called “out” — many times over. They’ve been knocked off even more. But their loyal fans keep buying them. “Have you ever tried one on? If you did, you’d know,” says Tacey Powers, national merchandise manager for Nordstrom. “They are part of the everyday wardrobe. You own a sneaker, you own a flip-flop, you own an Ugg.” The original boot style is still the most popular, but Ugg has branched out to include more fashion-y silhou- ettes and loungewear. Home products such as blankets and decorative pillows will be offered this holiday season. Almost every item is touched, even if it’s hidden at the base of the heel, by the signature sheepskin lining. Feel “You have to be comfortable in Ugg. You have to feel good. Our tag line is, ‘Feels like nothing else.’ We want them to be the go-to pair in your closet for everything,” says Ugg Australia President Connie Rishwain. “We don’t want to be the pretty pair you never wear.” The peak of Ugg’s pop-culture trendiness was in the early 2000s, when Hollywood starlets made them part of their uniform with short denim miniskirts. Never mind that they were cruising the sunny beaches of Malibu, California. Now it’s evolved into a “GoldieHawn-in-Aspen look,” says Adam Glassman, creative director at O, The Oprah Magazine, and that’s how you should wear them: with leggings and a long sweater, or jeans and a furtrimmed parka. Or like you just don’t care. “Ignore the rest of your outfit. It’s nearly impossible to build an outfit around them,” he says. However, don’t wear them with socks. Not because they’ll look bad, but you’ll be missing out on the sheepskin sensation that makes them special. Backstory The beach bums actually had a similar idea to Ugg Australia founder Brian Smith, who brought these boots from Down Under to southern California in the 1970s. They were particularly popular with male the Deckers deal. With success came a confidence to create clogs, slippers and the cardigan knit boots that are almost as popular as the original. Ugg needed that depth of merchandise before opening its first stand-alone store in 2006. Now, there are riding, high-heel and combat boots. Loyalty Ugg Australia’s Bailey style added a button to the brand’s classic boot. It was part of a successful formula to keep core customers while wooing new ones. (AP) surfers. But Deckers Outdoor Corp. bought Ugg in 1995 and saw its potential with young women. “We inherited its inventory and its customers,” says Rishwain, “but what blew my mind was the sell-through. We were pretty much a fourth-quarter brand, but it pretty much sold out year-round.” Ugg wasn’t going to be a one-hit wonder, however, says Rishwain, who has been with the brand since Nordstrom’s Powers says part of Ugg’s staying power comes from consumers who replace worn-out products with new ones. Since the line isn’t dictated by “trends,” shoppers come back for the same thing over and over again. She compares it to a favorite running shoe. Also, notes Powers, people always refer to the brand name — it’s never the fuzzy moonboot or shearling slipper. The products are pricey, she allows, but she has no complaint about quality or cut corners. (AP) Fashion Fatima Lopes – Portugal Luis Buchinho – Portugal Luis Buchinho – Portugal Luis Buchinho – Portugal Miguel Vieira – Portugal click Latest Continued from Page 32 for a long period of time in Sweden and in Kuwait. For her, it is extremely important to inspire and help people to achieve better health where diet plays a vital role. She is convinced that with the knowledge of how to prepare the food in a tasty and healthy way, combined with physical exercise, we can lead a happy, healthy life. According to her, food must taste good and be healthy at the same time. This passion for food and health that she has is expressed in her book “Food to enjoy & remember”. Please join us at the TIES Center on Nov 26, 27 and 28 at 6:30pm. The fee for this course is KD 30 and maximum capacity is 10. Prior registration is required because seats are limited.” For more information, please call 25231015/6 or e-mail: [email protected] Models (above) present creations by Fatima Lopes, Luis Buchinho and Miguel Vieira during Portugal Fashion event in Porto, Oct 26 and models (below) display creations from the Kopenhagen Fur collection during China Fashion Week in Beijing, Oct 25. (AP/AFP) Miguel Vieira – Portugal please go through the Website: http://www.indiais.org/ Miguel Vieira – Portugal Nov 1 ISCON 2013: Kuwait Kerala Islahi Oct 29 Study in Canada exhibition: Organized by the Embassy of Canada, the eighth annual Middle East Education Initiative (MEEI) will be visiting Kuwait from Oct 28 to 30, 2013. Representatives of 15 leading Canadian universities and colleges will be available to meet students, parents, teachers and guidance counsellors to present the advantages of studying in Canada. On Tuesday, Oct 29, 2013 a Study in Canada exhibition will be held at the Marina Hotel, Salmiya from 6:00-9:00 pm for potential students and their parents to attend. The Canadian institutions will also be visiting local schools to speak to interested students about opportunities to study in Canada.For more information: www.kuwait.gc.ca Oct 31 GUST to host musical evening: The Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) will be hosting a musical program entitled “My Favorite Things” on Oct 31, 2013 at 7pm, performed by Steinway Artist, TaiwaneseAmerican pianist Dr Stephanie Shih-yu Cheng, who has performed extensively in the US, France, Italy, Japan, and Taiwan to great critical acclaim. Dr Cheng will be performing at the GUST grand auditorium where all students, staff, faculty and general public are welcome to attend. She will be performing the following pieces: Prelude in B minor by J. S. Bach Kopenhagen Fur – China Kopenhagen Fur – China Kopenhagen Fur – China Kopenhagen Fur – China Kopenhagen Fur – China and trans. by Alexander Siloti, Twelve Variations on “Ah, vousdirai-je, Maman”, KV 265 by W.A. Mozart, Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2 by Frédéric Chopin, Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy, Liebesträume, No. 3 by Franz Liszt, “My Favorite Things”, from The Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers and arr. by Stephen Hough, and Caprice Espagnol, Op. 37 by Moritz Moszkowski. Dr Cheng has appeared in such prestigious settings as Carnegie Hall in New York, Dame Myra Hess Series of Chicago, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, National Concert Hall of Taipei, and Opera City Hall of Tokyo. Dr Cheng holds performance degrees from Peabody Conservatory and the State University of New York at Stony Brook where she earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Her principal teachers were Ann Schein and Gilbert Kalish. Much sought-after for masterclasses and as an adjudicator, Dr Cheng was on the faculty of City University of New York and Manhattan School of Music, and joined the faculty of American University of Kuwait as an Assistant Professor of Music in the fall of 2012. GUST prides itself in hosting great talents and tries to give the university and Kuwait community as a whole a variety of events to attend and enjoy. We look forward to welcoming you, your family and friends to the event. Admission is free. Further information and musical offerings from Dr. Cheng are available on www.stephanie-cheng.com. ❑ ❑ ❑ Indian photography contest: A global photography competition is being conducted by Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India to showcase the country’s growing ‘soft power’– factors that influence the opinion of individuals and organizations towards India through the medium of culture and per- sonal experience. Entry for the global competition is free and open to all those who are 18 years of age or above as on Sept 1, 2013. Photographs for the competition must be submitted on or before Oct 31, 2013.The themes of the competition are: (a) India is — Youthful (b) India is — Timeless (c) India is — Undiscovered. The jurors include scholars and professionals from the fields of photography, culture and the related. Based on the scores by individuals on this panel, the winners will be awarded grand prizes including exotic getaways with Taj Holidays. For more details about the competition, Center is organizing an Islamic Students Conference-ISCON2013 on Nov 1-2, 2013 at Grand Mosque Auditorium. As a part of this great event, an essay contest is organized for the following topics. Topics: 1. Knowledge for Enlightenment and Salvation 2. Internet: Use and Abuse 3. Science and Religion: Parallel and Paradox Conditions: 1. The participants must have the age between 12 and 20 years 2. Minimum 2 pages in printed A4 pages-12 size fonts Times new Roman or 4 pages hand written. 3. Any one of the above topics can be selected. 4. The article must be submitted to the school office or KKIC Office before Oct 30, 2013; or send email [email protected] 5. The first, second and third winners will be awarded KD 40, KD 30 and KD 20 respectively. 6. Awards will be distributed at the conference on Nov 2, 2013 at Grand Mosque Auditorium ISCON 2013 is a unique conference organized by KKIC for teenage students which is first of its kind in Kuwait. The work shop for students will be started on Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm which consists of various informative, educational and career oriented classes to be presented by renowned trainers and scholars from abroad. Those who are interested can register on line www.islahikuwait.org or prescribed forms. The details will be available in the program notice or in sites. For more queries please contact on phone 50775545, 66977038, 97200750. ❑ ❑ ❑ KKIC conduct ISCON: Kuwait Kerala Islahi is planning to conduct Second Islamic Students Conference (ISCON) on Nov 1 and 2 at Grand Mosque. Scores of students had participated last year in students workshop and other various activities. The two-day program will commenced with inaugural ceremony on Friday evening. Renowned guests from Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Heritage Society apart from the renowned educationists, experts, guest lecturers from in and out of Kuwait. There will be various sessions in the program students work shop, parenting, butterfly meets and presentations. A souvenir will be released on this occasion. Students will be admitted Continued on Page 35
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