With roots in Southern California, UGG brand’s partnership with athlete stylist Vick Michel feels like a true homecoming. Michel taps into his styling repertoire every day, not only expressing himself through his own looks but also helping others hit their fashion stride. Working with some of today’s top athletes, the style creative also guides them in extending their impact off the field.Michel’s professional career began after he graduated from FIDM. He got his start working with Draymond Green and the rest was history. Michel then went on to help some of sports culture’s biggest names level up through personal style, from professional basketball player Gabe Vincent to professional NFL player JuJu Smith-Schuster.“I come from a basketball background, and it was the year that Draymond Green won a championship, and we had a friendly relationship,” Michel reflected on his start. “So we started working together. But it was really the friendship between him and me and our relationship, as a team, that propelled my career into something bigger. We had very memorable moments, and it was a blessing to have an extensive amount of networking opportunities that allowed me to get in the right rooms. Tunnels are the new runways now.”Michel’s work merges two different worlds, so his adept ability to mold himself or others through style echoes the adaptability of UGG brand’s all-terrain, all-weather offerings, like those Michel put to the test while visiting his favorite local LA spots. “I really liked the Men’s Classic Ultra Mini Hybrid,” he explains. “I like the colorblocked part of those, and they play in both NYC when it’s really cold, but also here in LA, because the color is a cool style element. And, I mean, UGG slippers, those are like every day. Especially as a stylist who has to run around a lot.Bringing the brand along for the ride, Michel also shows how the Mini Hybrid naturally aligns with his hectic lifestyle. The schedule of a stylist can be nonstop; he’s often visiting showrooms to sift through pieces for his clients, coordinating styling sessions and stopping by stores for styling kit essentials. Clothing shop Traffic LA was the first place on his tour. “They’re like family,” Michel says “I come in there all the time, that’s in my normal day-to-day routine, so it only made sense to stop in there because they’re always helping me out and they know my process.” Rodeo Drive was the next destination before heading to Venice Beach to close out the day in a place that seamlessly merges sport with street style.Though Vick Michel’s work centers on crafting expressive looks for others, his personal aesthetics have evolved throughout his career. He explains that he gravitates toward traditional silhouettes, but always adds a personal twist — often through the colors, textures or details he chooses to wear. “I gravitate towards everything,” he expressed, “But when you step out, I mean, you definitely gotta put that on, right? I’d say my style is classic and fun. Some of my pieces are very timeless, but at the same time, I love color. Some people compare my style to Bad Bunny. He has a cool style and he steps outside of the box. For me, it’s all about confidence.”For his LA tour with the UGG AW25 footwear, Vick Michel leaned into layered looks and neutral earth tones, using them as a base to build up from. His signature touch came through in the pops of color and adaptable accessories that elevated each outfit. You can check out some of the pieces from Michel’s looks at ugg.com.
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