...what would I come up with?
Hmmm.
Owner Mark Casperson has been presiding over the styles and swatches at Multnomah Leather Shop for years and years. And as this summer was winding down he put the challenge to the creative souls/soles who read Every Clog Has Its Day: dream up a new clog design and he'll choose one winning entry to receive that pair for free. And additionally, your design will become part of the ever expanding offerings on the Multnomah web site. How cool is that?
Obviously, I can't participate in this contest myself. But the opportunity to think outside the shoe box is more than I can resist. Cue the harp music to indicate that we're entering the world of imagination and wonder. Indeed, what would I like to see in a new Multnomah clog?
Well, Mark is no stranger to working with laces on his clogs. What if he had a little fun and created a pair with the laces off center? Like on the shoes on the cover photo for Joe Jackson's first album?
Or while we've got dear old 1980s styles on our minds, what would happen if he turned one of his shoes into a solid wooden wedge with no cutout to demarcate the heel from the rest of the sole. Imagine, if you will, a Multnomah clog "brothel creeper"!
I've also wondered if Mark has ever explored any designs with straps. Such as the T-strap look of the venerable children's sandal. (Memories of Christopher Robin anyone?) That could marry nicely to Multnomah clog sole.
Or how about lots of straps? Lots and lots of straps? Like on the traditional fisherman's sandal? Mark's just beginning to explore some foot-revealing styles on his website. Maybe a couple more are in order.
I've also noticed Mark's penchant for taking his cue from existing shoe designs. And that naturally led me to ponder the development of a Timberland clog: tan leather and tan laces in a low oxford shoe height...with that puffy brown cuff around the top of the heel cap. Definitely with a lug sole!
And while we're answering the call of the great outdoors with our flights of footwear fancy, what about a plush Multnomah clog lined with fur? Picture this slipper on a wooden midsole. Now there's your après ski wear!
And finally ('cause you know I can never leave well enough alone), what about the ultimate marriage of the sublime with the ridiculous?
Behold, the Multnomah Crocs!
Okay, I'm kidding.
But you see how easy it is to dream up a shoe of your own. So sketch a few lines on paper or grab some photos from the internet and get hopping! Your entries need to be in by Monday night. Complete entry details here.
Good luck!
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[On my feet as I blog: well, I've got my Charli-C clogs from Jeffrey Campbell on right this minute, but when I ran errands this morning, I was wearing those Canasta clog oxfords from Vince Camuto once again.]
I just sent mine in last night. I hope you got them! (In the realm of "great minds think alike," one of my pairs might be disqualified...)
Posted by: Tea | 09/01/2011 at 09:04 AM
When I sent in my entries, I was thinking about side-lacing! But doesn't Mark have a side-laced style? Now I need to go look on his site... gad, more looking at clogs, how will I stand it?!
Posted by: Melissa Krebs | 09/01/2011 at 09:05 AM
I did get your entries and passed them on immediately to Mark. And no, you will not be disqualified. To be honest, I purposely didn't look at what you sent because I was working on today's post at the time. And I didn't intend to steal anybody's thunder. I was just free associating with a lot of shoe ideas in order to prime any stragglers to get their entries in.
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 09/01/2011 at 10:21 AM
Oddly, no one has commented on the Multnomah Crocs. I guess that idea is a non-starter.
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 09/01/2011 at 10:22 AM
That Multnomah Crocs are a non-starter goes without saying, eh, Lindsey? lol
Posted by: Frederik Sisa | 09/01/2011 at 10:31 AM
Well, I was expecting a chuckle or two, but I guess everyone just shuddered and averted their eyes at that point.
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 09/01/2011 at 10:52 AM
Perhaps the Multnomah crocs could be used as life buoys? They are the rigt colour, and I expect they will float...
Posted by: Johanna | 09/01/2011 at 11:19 AM
OMG - that Joe Jackson cover is iconic - and those shoes would make FANTASTIC clogs! This was a fun, imaginative post . . .
Posted by: Jan Deibert | 09/01/2011 at 05:07 PM
Lindsey, I don't know if you will remember this, but a while back I sent you a drawing I did of a pair of pink crocs not unlike yours pictured above, save with the international "NO" symbol of the red circle-and-slash drawn across them? I think I speak for all of us here that croc-clogs aren't funny...
Well. Maybe a little funny.
But not funny enough that we'd want Mark to make us some.
Okay. Maybe funny enough that we'd wear them if we won a free pair.
But definitely not funny enough that we'd want him to market them!!
But if you wanted to make a pair of your Frankenclogs with crocs and wood soles, I'd laugh at you wearing them...
Posted by: Melissa Krebs | 09/01/2011 at 07:17 PM
I wish I could sketch something but stick figures are about as good as it gets. I have to say that Multnomah Crocs are an improvement but how good can you make a pair of Crocs? I love the floatation device comment! LOL!
I just want thank Lindsey and Melissa for making me feel better about my clog/shoe obsession. Shoes make me happy. I cannot help it.
I hope someone from here wins the Multnomah challenge.
I also want to thank Lindsey for her note about the foreign exchange programme. Let the games begin! :-)
Posted by: London Lady | 09/02/2011 at 02:05 AM
Seriously, you should enter any way you can. Stick figures are fine. So is a written description of the shoe you've dreamed of owning. I've seen behind the scenes at Mark Casperson's shop, and you wouldn't believe the custom orders he's done in the past based on the scantiest of design instructions. Don't be shy!
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 09/02/2011 at 02:14 AM