The Champions of Design article in Marketing magazine recently (8th Feb 2012) prompted me to pen a tribute to my favourite brand, the Hunter Wellington boot.

Being a ‘horsey’ girl, my Hunters are my favourite footwear too. Oh, yes, I’ve travelled the epic journey the brand has taken along with them. I’ve been part of the ‘green welly brigade’ since early teens and now sport the Cranberry gloss originals with lilac welly sock combo - equally at home at the stables or at the supermarket. My love affair with the brand can be likened to a perfect marriage, 30 years of devotion and not once being tempted to stray to another.

I feel a sense of almost maternal pride when, on a rainy day in the high street, I spot as many pairs of Hunter wellies in various styles and colours as I see at the stables. This is coupled bizarrely with a sense of possession – similar to a music lover whose favourite band and secret discovery has now gone mainstream – “I’ve been listening to them for years!”

Well, “I’ve been wearing my Hunters for years!”

I love the simplicity and confidence of the Hunter logo - like Chanel, it achieves timelessness in its design. The addition of the strapline ‘Outstanding in every field’ is perfect. Very nice work.

Reading these paragraphs back, I can accept that I am totally and emotionally connected to the brand. I love it.

Back to the article, James Joice challenges “Can you name another brand of wellies?”. Yes I can, Joules, Dunlop, Le Chameau, shall I go on? Horsey girls work in marketing too James. Also, he says, “Hunter’s boots are just like any others..”. James, really. Buy yourself a pair, walk in them, shoot in them, shop in them, camp at festivals in them, wear them and wear them for years on end and then you will know how thay have managed to find themselves in a league of their own.

Now, I must order my Aubrey ballerina in black, so that I can wear my Hunters to work too…