In a landscape strewn with penny loafers and wingtips, college student Doug Otto recognizes a need for casual, comfortable footwear. To fulfill that need, he combines dreams with ingenuity to create a new kind of sandal.
During a business trip to Hawaii, Doug hears everyone calling his flip-flops by the Hawaiian slang word ‘deckas’ based on their striped, multi-layered structure that resembled a deck of stacked wood. Doug thinks the name has a nice ring to it, so when he returns to the mainland, he names his brand "Deckers."
The popularity of Deckers flip-flops spreads, helping to create the burgeoning surf lifestyle marketplace. Fueled by the Deckers brand success, the company begins acquiring a number of other brands that reflect America’s new desire for footwear that is a little more relaxed and fun.
Seeing a kindred, unconventional spirit in a footwear company started by a Grand Canyon river rafting guide, Deckers enters into a licensing agreement to produce and distribute Teva sandals.
The brand collective needs an umbrella name, so the Deckers brand becomes Deckers Outdoor Corporation, going public on the NASDAQ in 1993.
Deckers acquires UGG Holdings. First worn by Australian surfers to keep their feet toasty warm after surfing the frigid waters of the Tasman Sea, the UGG® Australia brand has since expanded from high-quality sheepskin boots to include a full range of men’s, women's and children’s footwear including boots, casuals and slippers, as well as handbags, outerwear and accessories.
Deckers acquires the Teva patents, trademarks and other assets, gaining ownership of the brand.
The classic UGG boot gets an update in baby blue and pink. As a result, Oprah features the boots on the Oprah’s Favorite Things segment, emphatically declaring that she “LOOOOOVES her UGG boots.” In the following years, the brand is featured an additional four times on her show.
Leading the way with a combination of experience and unconventional wisdom, Angel Martinez becomes the CEO and President of Deckers.
Deckers is named #9 on the Forbes list of Best Small Companies.
Deckers opens an office in Hong Kong to house the Deckers Asia Pacific operations.
Deckers receives a spot on Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work list.
The pioneering fashion brand Tsubo joins the Deckers family.
Angel Martinez is named Chairman of the Board in May.
Deckers opens an office in Richmond, UK to house the Deckers Europe business.
Deckers receives a spot on Outside magazine’s Best Places to Work list. Again.
Deckers acquires the young outdoor performance lifestyle brand Ahnu®.
Deckers opens an office in Tokyo to house the Deckers Japan operations.
Deckers completes the acquisition of MOZO, a work shoe brand, and begins collaborating on new designs with celebrated chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez.
Deckers opens its Deckers UK office in London.
Deckers finalizes the acquisition of Sanuk, a dynamic, surf-inspired action sport brand known for its original sandals, innovative shoes and irreverent marketing.
For a third time, Deckers receives a spot on Outside magazine’s Best Places to Work list.
As if things couldn't get any better, Footwear News named UGG Australia the "Brand of the Year," the second time since 2003.
Deckers opens an office in Rotterdam to house its Deckers Benelux operations
Deckers opens an office in Paris to house its Deckers France operations.
Teva launches the TevaSphere collection, earning a "Best in Show" award from Gearjunkie at Outdoor Retailer and an Outdoor Industry Award at the Outdoor show in Friedrichshafen, Germany.
For a fourth time, Deckers is named to Outside magazine's Best Places to Work list.
Angel Martinez wins the inaugural Latino Business Award in the Large Business Category from Pacific Coast Business Times.
Jake Brandman is named to the Sporting Goods Business "40 under 40" list.
Started in 1973 by a University of California, Santa Barbara student who began making and selling sandals at craft fairs along the West Coast, Deckers has grown into a company that spans the globe with six lifestyle brands: UGG® Australia, Teva®, Sanuk®, Mozo®, Ahnu® and Tsubo®.