Molly Goddard printemps-été 2021 backstage. Photo : Jason Lloyd Evans
Jeremy Scott, Sacai, Heron Preston, Eckhaus Latta and soon Telfar Clemens… The list of brands and fashion designers that have collaborated with UGG over the years keeps on getting longer. Even though the famous American shoe house is famous for its iconic sheepskin boots, they do not shy away from collaborating with talented contemporary designers to get a fresh creative look upon their DNA. Recently, the London designer Molly Goddard – known for her homonymous brand that works around tulle, frill, fluid, flowy and light silhouettes – added her own touch to the brand by creating three shoe designs: platform clogs, long-haired fur slippers and boots decorated with floral appliqués, all made in the different bright colours that are typical of Molly Goddard’s work. After having unveiled the shoes a few days ago during the Spring-Summer 2021 fashion show, the designer spoke with us about this new project.
How long have you been making shoes for your own collections? For you, how different is it from thinking a garment?
I first made shoes for my graduate collection in 2012. I stuck espadrilles on top of layers and layers of foam and added loads of ribbons. Since then we have worked with expert shoe makers and made various styles, I like shoes to either completely contrast or compliment the collections. Making shoes is very different in its craft but, like making clothes, I do a drawing and then think about how I turn it into something 3D. The fun thing with making shoes just for a show is that you can forget about practicality at times.
Where do you think Molly Goddard and UGG’s identities meet?
UGG is known for unique shapes and uses such a good range of amazing materials. This shared openness to exploring colour and texture between us was a great starting for our collaboration.
“I like shoes to either completely contrast or compliment my collections.”
Colours are also very important in your collections, and we see it once again with the shoes you created for UGG. What was the color story of these shoes inspired by?
I love using colour, this season's collection is very colourful so the shoes reflect that. All the hues of the clothes feature somewhere in the collection. I never overthink colour, I tend to just combine colours based on what fabric or texture they are and don’t mind if they clash. I think clashing colours are the best.
Which materials and techniques have you used specifically for these shoes?
The platforms are suede with a low pile sheepskin inner in a contrast colour, I liked the idea of having this solid smooth block of colour on your foot with the surprise colour inside. The slippers are made using a longer scruffier fur and dyed in bright colours again with a lower pile insole fur. For the mini-boot, I was looking at old cowboy boots and a leather jacket I own. I used contrast colour applique flowers all over the boot, which to me felt strangely classic but fun.
“I think clashing colours are the best.”
In your collection of shoes with UGG, you created furry slippers and shoes with very high soles. Why did you want to create such shapes for them?
For our Fall- Winter 2020-2021 collection, the shoes were classic lace-up brothel creepers with triple soles. For Spring-Summer 2021, I returned to this extreme elevation. I like to play with height and volume so this was an important element, but I also didn’t want to lose form and function. I’m very happy with how much height we managed to get in the plaforms without compromising on comfort.
