Meet the HIDDEN x UGG Collaborators

A look at the artists turning the HIDDEN x UGG into a canvas.

This weekend marks the launch of the HIDDEN Hardware Boot and Tasman in collaboration with UGG. The pop-up shop and projection mapping experience starts Friday, February 6 at Extra Butter at 125 Orchard Street in New York City.

Both shoes will release online and at the pop-up on Friday February 6th at 3 PM EST/12 PM PST/8 PM GMT. To celebrate the partnership, HIDDEN has teamed up with four esteemed creative pioneers to reinterpret the collaboration through the lens of their respective practice.

Extremely limited to just five pairs per style, the handmade interpretations toe the line between objets d’art and wearable subcultural artifacts. Here’s a bit about each creative collaborator.

The Hardware Boot by STFUyoutalk2much

STFUyoutalk2much, aka Omi is a mononymous artist from The Bronx who came into prominence as part of the LES creative community. Heavily involved in scenes like the multidisciplinary shop LAAMS, Omi is known for his murals and painting that toes the line between surrealism, pop culture parodies, and old-school airbrush bootlegs. Omi’s take on the HIDDEN Hardware Boot embodies that appeal, applying a signature green airbrush graphic on the upper.

The Hardware Boot By Peter Sutherland

Born in 1976 in Ann Arbor, MI, artist Peter Sutherland once described his work to the team at storied fashion label Dries Van Noten as a “chaotic celebration of life.” Known for his paintings of eerie, colorful landscapes and photographic juxtapositions between industrial imagery, sculptural geodes, and even stickered-out water bottles, Sutherland’s work is a constant interrogation of environments and striking color stories. Sutherland’s reinterpretation of the HIDDEN Hardware Boot combines all those sensibilities, giving the footwear a sculptural element.

The Tasman By JWStudios

Jakob Werner began his design career customizing footwear before evolving into a full-fledged studio. His previous work ranges from elegant adornments of adidas Football boots to an eye-catching collaboration with Japanese footwear label Mizuno on the “Kakishibu” MXR inspired by a traditional dyeing process using persimmons. JWStudios takes a similarly subtle approach to the HIDDEN Tasman, swapping out the sole for a thicker, darker substitution and a darker, vintaged treatment to the suede upper.

The Tasman By Kozaburo

Born in Tokyo, Kozaburo Akasaka originally studied philosophy before honing his craft in menswear and fashion design at the prestigious Central Saint Martins and Parsons School of Design. That landed up a job for Thom Browne, where he learned the ropes during the brand’s most formative and impactful years of subverting traditional menswear. He launched his Kozaburo label in 2011, with an emphasis on melding Japanese craft and philosophy with Western silhouettes, especially focusing on mixing techiques like sakiori weaving and sashiko stitching with denim.

For the Kozaburo x HIDDEN Tasman, Akasaka pays homage to the Japanese philosophy of “mottainai,” a term expressing regret over wasting things. Using repurposed materials and treatments as accents to the shoe, it gains a second life.

The Hardware Boot By Kozaburo

Not to be outdone with one silhouette, Kozaburo Akasaka also applies his talents to the HIDDEN Hardware Boot. Applying a vintaged wash treatment to the soles, Akasaka adds a rugged contrast flannel fabric to the upper, finished with details like turquoise studs, fringe finishes, and industrial staples that give the boots the same Frankenstein appeal of his Travis Scott-approved mash-up dad caps made from different headwear.