The Collab I Have Been Waiting For: Molly Goddard x UGG

vor 4 years

I had a countdown timer set in my phone for this collaboration release between Molly Goddard & UGG

I always delight in watching Molly Goddard’s runway collections. I spend a good 20 minutes ‘ooh’ing and’ ahh’ing and being transported to dreams of frolicking in a garden with friends, all of us in matching dresses with our hair braided and bowed together. I have vivd visions of stuffing myself and 100 yards of tulle into a yellow cab, and expanding into it, filling every single centimeter with floof and flounce until the cab floats me to my destination (of which it is but of course a Victorian Masquerade Ball .)

This last collection of Molly’s was no different. But the one thing that was … were the SHOES. The shoes were FANTASTIC. Crazy tall platform slip ons (you thought Valentino was something?) And satirically furry and funny slippers. I started a WhatsApp group chat dedicated to the shoes. I assigned all my friends the specific shoes they represented. Yes, that’s how it is. A day later, I received a breaking notification in the chat. Those shoes? OUR shoes? They were actually a collaboration with UGG. I slide out of my chair. I didn’t know whether to allow hatred into my heart or a newfound love. I chose the latter. I continued fawning over this. I was shrieking about it to everyone who was listening. I was standing on top of painted shoe boxes in various outfits, trying to imagine how I would look once the shoes were finally released. I think I spoke enough about this excitement, that word made its way around town and I was asked if I would like to ask the Empress Molly Goddard a few questions about her collaboration with UGG, as if I hadn’t already written down some questions I would hypothetically ask her if I ever ran into her at a Victorian Masquerade Ball or twirling in an English garden. And finally, six months later, the day I have been waiting for has arrived. The shoes are here. And so is this little interview. ENJOY! I’m off to practice walking in heels again xo t already written down some questions I would hypothetically ask her if I ever ran into her at a Victorian Masquerade Ball or twirling in an English garden. And finally, six months later, the day I have been waiting for has arrived. The shoes are here. And so is this little interview. ENJOY! I’m off to practice walking in heels again xo t already written down some questions I would hypothetically ask her if I ever ran into her at a Victorian Masquerade Ball or twirling in an English garden. And finally, six months later, the day I have been waiting for has arrived. The shoes are here. And so is this little interview. ENJOY! I’m off to practice walking in heels again xo

Hi Molly! Okay, first off, I wish to talk to you about your lockdown. Could you give me a glimpse into it? Did you find inspiration in this time of solitude or do you miss working alongside others?

Molly Goddard: We worked for a few months in lockdown from home, which I found very challenging. From a business point of view, it was a tough few months and it was a tricky time to be inspired. I had so much work to do and was pretty stressed … I cooked a lot and walked in the park every day, but otherwise I worked! I was thrilled to be able to come back to the studio once things settled down a bit. I missed the people and being able to touch things and make decisions without 100 emails. I have really missed the library and markets and general people watching this year … Everyone looks quite dull in their exercise gear. I can’t wait to see people dressing up again.

Of all the shoe brands to choose from, what is it that you found so alluring about UGG to collaborate with?

I think with collaborations, a lot of work goes into the logistics of how it will work and what the parameters are… Luckily with UGG, it was quite open in terms of what I could create. I had a really clear idea of what I wanted. The minute the conversation started, I was already imagining what would be feasible, taking into consideration their brand identity and how I could use that to make something that fitted what I do. The designs I came up with were to be work with our SS21 collection, so the colors, shapes, and textures of this collaboration were influenced by that.

Did you own UGG shoes in the past before working with them?

I have a pair of black classic mini Ugg boots that keep my feet so warm that I struggle to take them off somedays.

Your UGG platform shoes are giving me major flashbacks to the late 90s / early 00s. Where were you deriving inspiration?

They were actually based on 1970s shoes. I did a ton of shoe research so I took ideas from various sources, but the colors and combinations of textures came from my SS21 Collection. It was bright, joyful, and with highly contrasted textures.

Has your work been inspired by specific artists or characters in any way?

No one specifically. I prefer looking at people out and about and seeing how people of all ages and worlds wear clothing. People-watching is one of my favorite things to do. I mainly look to books, magazines, art galleries, and markets … Portobello Market on a Friday is my favorite place for inspiration. The vintage clothes are amazing.

Will you share with us a secret?

A dry vodka martini with an olive and lots of salt and vinegar chips.