Executive Overview
The intersection of music, fashion, and personal identity has always been the primary crucible for defining modern pop culture. When indie-pop powerhouses MUNA—comprising members Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson—sign on to headline a high-profile brand campaign, it is rarely a superficial contractual obligation. Instead, it serves as an extension of their artistic ethos. In their latest extracurricular venture, the critically acclaimed trio has teamed up with footwear giant UGG for the brand’s Fall 2026 back-to-school campaign.
The collaboration bridges the gap between mainstream commercial fashion and underground queer authenticity. UGG, widely recognized for its cozy comfort-wear staples, handpicked MUNA for their emotionally resonant songwriting and their unapologetic visual identity. For MUNA, the partnership represents a rare alignment where corporate backing honors individual identity rather than diluting it.
Beyond the footwear and apparel—which range from classic slip-ons and reimagined mini boots to retro-inspired cardigans and letterman jackets—the partnership highlights UGG’s ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy. By supporting organizations like Queer|Art and Chicxs Rockerxs South East Los Angeles, the campaign purposefully centers the arts and champions youth self-expression.
To celebrate the launch, UGG hosted an intimate back-to-tour party in Los Angeles, where Gavin and Maskin opened up about navigating queer style, reflecting on their college days at USC, and gearing up for their upcoming Gets So Hot tour in support of their latest album, Dancing on the Wall. This feature explores the mechanics of this collaboration, tracing how MUNA continues to leverage style as a vehicle for self-actualization, community building, and absolute comfort.
Detailed Chronology: From USC Roots to Global Campaigns
To fully understand MUNA’s partnership with UGG, one must look backward to the origins of the band and trace the trajectory that brought them to this cultural milestone.
The Formative Years at USC
Long before they were headlining international tours and topping music charts, Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson were students navigating the sprawling campus of the University of Southern California (USC). It was during these formative college years that the trio first crossed paths, laying the foundation for what would become one of indie-pop’s most vital acts.
Reflecting on their campus days during the UGG campaign, the band members found themselves nostalgic for the stylistic risks—and missteps—of their early twenties. Maskin fondly recalls Gavin’s striking college style, describing her as “so punk rock” for wearing high-heeled sneakers to class, while Gavin fondly remembers her own signature green undercut.
Yet, looking back at collegiate fashion is not entirely without emotional complexity. For Maskin, remembering those years also means confronting the internal friction of self-discovery. “I do feel like some of the things that I wore was because I just felt kind of like a sense of shame,” Maskin shared candidly. “Even though I still wore masculine stuff, I just feel like I didn’t feel at home in myself in clothes. And that took a long time—to be able to realize I can express myself and be safe in clothes. Which is the hardest thing to craft, especially when you’re that age.”
Maskin’s blunt, empowering advice to young people navigating that exact phase of life is characteristically direct: “You just gotta not give a f*ck.”
The Evolution of MUNA’s Visual Identity
As MUNA transitioned from a college band into a critically adored recording outfit, their visual presentation evolved in tandem with their sound. From their breakthrough records to their explosive self-titled album and their latest release, Dancing on the Wall, the band has treated fashion as an active collaborator in their storytelling.
When UGG approached the trio about heading their back-to-school campaign, the band was initially cautious—a standard stance for artists who have meticulously guarded their counter-cultural credibility. However, those reservations evaporated quickly upon entering discussions with the brand.
“We immediately felt safe,” Maskin noted regarding the early stages of negotiations. “And we knew that they weren’t gonna make us do anything that didn’t feel like it was true to MUNA.” Coupled with that creative safety was a much more visceral incentive: “We f*cking love UGGs.”
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Campaign, the Collection, and Community Impact
The UGG back-to-school campaign is structured around a diverse, all-gender product line that merges comfort with retro collegiate nostalgia. Designed to appeal to adults, kids, and toddlers alike, the collection updates timeless silhouettes while introducing fresh footwear and apparel options.
Key Product Highlights
The campaign showcases several key pieces that are currently driving consumer engagement and retail demand across major stockists like Nordstrom and UGG’s direct-to-consumer channels:
- UGG Tasman II Slipper: Available in 11 distinct colorways, this versatile slip-on remains a staple for effortless transition between indoor lounging and outdoor wear.
- UGG Lowmel Sneaker: A contemporary, chunky sneaker design offered in six color options, blending street style with sneaker culture utility.
- UGG Women’s Ultra Mini Bailey Bow: A playful variation on the viral ultra-mini boot trend, featuring delicate bow accents across four color variations.
- Men’s UGG Deckmel Boat Shoe: A sophisticated, casual footwear option bridging traditional boat shoe aesthetics with signature comfort lining.
- All-Gender UGG Retro Cardigan & Retro Jacket: Designed in sizing ranging from 2XS to XL, these pieces anchor the apparel collection, tapping into vintage athletic wear and 90s campus aesthetics.
- Women’s UGG Moxy Knee-High & Otzo Clog: Bold statement pieces prominently featured in the campaign, with the Moxy Knee-High spotted on Katie Gavin and the Otzo Clog worn by Josette Maskin.
Beyond Fashion: Philanthropy and LGBTQ+ Advocacy
What elevates this partnership above a standard retail collaboration is UGG’s institutional support of arts and social justice organizations. The brand has maintained long-standing partnerships with entities such as Queer|Art, which provides vital mentorship and financial support to LGBTQ+ visual artists, filmmakers, and writers, and Chicxs Rockerxs South East Los Angeles, a grassroots organization utilizing music education, social justice programs, and mentorship to empower youth.
For MUNA, these philanthropic ties were a non-negotiable prerequisite for lending their names and faces to the brand. “We appreciate the long-standing partnerships UGG has with important organizations,” the band shared in an official press release. “They are putting the arts at the center of their back-to-school campaign and encouraging younger folks to embrace whatever makes them feel most like themselves.”
Official Statements & Industry Perspectives
During the intimate launch party held in Los Angeles on Tuesday night, industry insiders, journalists, and fans gathered to celebrate MUNA’s latest venture. Amidst the celebration, Gavin and Maskin sat down to discuss the deeper philosophies driving their fashion choices, their creative process, and their upcoming tour.
The Psychology of Tour Style
For MUNA, style is never accidental; it is a narrative device. As Gavin explained, clothing functions as a psychological gateway into the creative worlds they construct for their music.
“Style is really connected to our creative self-expression,” Gavin observed. “The way I dress changes a ton based on what creative project we’re working on. It’s almost a way of getting into character.”
As the band prepares to launch their Gets So Hot tour on September 17—following the massive success of their May album, Dancing on the Wall—their aesthetic pivot reflects a darker, moodier sonic palette. The trio is leaning heavily into a dark ’90s-inspired aesthetic, drawing visual cues from the era’s rock-inflected, leather-heavy fashion subcultures.
However, amidst the theatrical leather jackets and moody stage costumes, practical comfort inevitably wins out at the end of a high-energy performance. As Josette Maskin aptly summarized with a laugh:
“I’m ending in UGGs at the end of the night.”
Future Outlook: The Gets So Hot Tour and Beyond
As MUNA looks toward the remainder of 2026, the momentum generated by Dancing on the Wall shows no signs of slowing down. The upcoming Gets So Hot tour promises to be their most visually cohesive and sonically adventurous live iteration to date.
By aligning with UGG for a campaign that champions authentic self-expression, youth mentorship, and LGBTQ+ visibility, MUNA continues to demonstrate how modern musical acts can partner with major commercial entities without sacrificing their artistic integrity. Whether they are commanding a festival stage in dark ’90s leather or unwinding backstage in a pair of Tasman slippers, MUNA remains stubbornly, brilliantly themselves—proving that true style begins the moment you stop caring about what others expect you to be.
Fans looking to replicate the band’s campaign look can shop the full back-to-school collection directly via UGG’s online store. Meanwhile, tickets for the upcoming Gets So Hot tour are available now through major ticketing platforms like StubHub.
