One of the reasons clogs hold such a grip on our hearts is the associations they call to mind. When you and I slip our feet into a pair, we've not just looking for a comfortable way to get around during our day. We're also slipping back into a whole slew of mental connections that enliven that day. Maybe it's an image of the person we'd like to be. Maybe it's a memory of clogs from our past. Though I've never met the folks behind Tessa Clogs, I can't help but think of their relationship with the outdoors every time I see their name. Nestled in the Rockies, they're very much in the embrace of the natural world and its changes. And I think this photo from their current website captures that spirit completely. I mean, how many of us have a commute like that to the office? And how many of us wish we did?
And so today, I'm bringing back this chat with Chris Manning who with his wife Tessa preside over Tessa Clogs of Vail, home of some very delightful clogs and clog sandals...as you can see for yourself. The certainly live up to the sentiment posted front and center on their website:
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Featured Designer: Tessa Clogs
(originally published March 5, 2010)
Oh, dear. I thought this was going to be easy. Quite often when I interview a clog maker, it's a fairly straightforward process of presenting a few factoids and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, then displaying their wares in the course of laying out the interview. But once I sat down a took a close, close look at the Tessa Clogs web site, I found myself wondering where to start.
The beginning of the story is fairly clear. Owner Chris and his wife Tessa got into the shoe business quite by accident. As he'll relate in the interview below, one thing simply led to another, and before they knew it they had opened up shop and were filling orders year round. Like I said: that part's easy to get a handle on. Where I'm faltering is how best to present the stunning variety of clogs and clog related goodies that they carry. You can count on most clog makers to offer the standard Swedish style clog, and Tessa Clogs does not disappoint. But instead of offering a few minor variations on that Scandinavian theme, these folks have had their thinking caps on. So along with the basic clog that we all know and love,...
...you'll also find a stunning assortment of clogs that are handpainted (by the missus herself!)...
...along with an intriguing array of higher heeled clogs...
...and an assortment of Mary Jane clogs...
...and a unique collection of even higher heeled platform clog sandals that I haven't seen elsewhere...
...and a distinctive line of lug sole clogs that once again is out of the ordinary...
...and then we shouldn't overlook the interesting and inventive styles they offer for men...
...which totally ignores their metallic leather,...
...animal print,...
...and other wildly creative clogs...
...to say nothing of their clever clog customizing Snap Straps...
...or the shoes that appear to be a combination of several of the above.
You see my dilemma?
Suffice it to say, Tessa Clogs offers lots to explore and, more importantly, plenty to daydream about. But I'll let the self designated "clog guy" behind the Tessa Clogs Clog Blog (to be enjoyed here) tell you more of their story.
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ECHID: How did Tessa clogs first come to be? Did you set out to start a clog shop? Or were you heading in another direction and something pulled you this way?
TESSA CLOGS: Back in 1994, we were wearing the hand painted clogs we made in Sweden around our home town of Vail, Colorado, and everyone (locals and tourists) was asking us where we got them. We decided what a great idea – maybe we should start selling clogs that we hand painted. Besides selling our Tessa Clogs at first to small fairs around the Vail area, two large retail stores in Vail (Gorsuch and Kid Sport) approached us to sell our shoes in their stores. Once our wholesale business started to take off, we needed warehouse space to store our clogs. We decided on a small retail area we could use as an outlet for our Tessa Clogs and where we would also sell Scandinavian goods.
ECHID: How did you get started actually designing your own clogs? And I should ask, too, what exactly do you do as designers? Is it simply painting the leather uppers? Or do you have some input on the creation of the soles and heels and the rest of the shoe in general?
TESSA CLOGS: Where Tessa was brought up in the south of Sweden, hand painted clogs are common. We just took the idea and expanded on it. For design, we like to look at where fashion is going and decide from there how we want our clogs to look – heel, leathers, colors, etc. We are still a using a traditional sole on most off our clogs, but have also developed some off our own high heel soles.
ECHID: You opened your shop in 1996 back before the internet brought the world to your virtual door. What were those early days like as just a gift shop in Vail compared to the attention you receive online today?
TESSA CLOGS: We love to sell Tessa Clogs to visitors [who come] to our retail store – Swedish Clog Cabin. We have had a web presence since 1998, so in the beginning we would jump up whenever an order would come in via email. Especially in the fall and spring when Vail is at its slowest. Still to this day, we have many folks from out of town that come for a vacation and the first thing they like to do is stop in and see our new designs. There is always something a little more special about visiting our retail store here in Vail versus buying over the internet.
ECHID: Tell me more about the Tessa Snap Straps. Is that your own innovation?
TESSA CLOGS: Tessa Snap Straps are a way for people to accessories their Tessa Clogs – one Tessa Clog, but many styles. Not all of us can have a closet full of shoes so we were trying to think of a way for people to change the look of their clog without having to buy another pair. From there our Tessa Snap Straps evolved.
ECHID: Your fur lined clogs are a new design. Tell me more about what inspired that style. And how has it been received?
TESSA CLOGS: Vail and snow. Living here at 8,000+ feet above sea level, we have many days of snow and cold – why not line some clogs with fur and see how it takes off? The reception on these clogs has been wonderful. We just got back from the Magic [Apparel and Accessories] show in Las Vegas – you will be seeing our Tessa Fur Clogs at more retailers this Fall.
ECHID: You carry some very distinctive higher heel styles in both clogs and sandals that I haven't seen from other retailers. How did those come to be part of the Tessa line? I would imagine they'd be quite popular and carried by other clog makers, but I truly haven't seen anything like them on other sites.
TESSA CLOGS: We love the traditional clog, but it may not be on the bleeding edge of fashion. BUT if you design a clog on a high heel – well, then you are on the leading edge. Plus – a high heel just looks good. Our tallest high heel – Kate – is a 3½” sole – this was our biggest seller at Magic.
ECHID: I love the rugged look of your lug sole clogs. Is that your own innovation? Inspired by life in the Rockies, perhaps?
TESSA CLOGS: Rocky Mountains and lugged hiking boots – well – why not lugged Tessa Clogs – our Mountain Sole – the SUV of clogs! LOL
ECHID: What are you most proud of when it comes to Tessa Clogs? What feedback have you gotten from customers that makes you feel great?
TESSA CLOGS: We are happy to “put smiles and Tessa Clogs on and brighten your day!” Life is way too short, we are doing something that we love and that our customers love also.
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[On my feet as I blog: my Savannah clogs from Matisse, a pair I picked up just before the clog craze swept through the fashion world and one of my prize possessions. I've never seen anything quite like them since. Please pardon the super casual leggings. It's been a rather active weekend, and I'm worn out!]
The Tessa Mountain Clogs are hubby's favorites. He's gone hiking, in the woods with them -- totally nonslip bottoms. Too bad the shearlings don't come in anything bigger than size 41.
Word to the wise: Offer your clogs in any style up to size 44 or 45. Enough with the "glass ceiling" of size 41!!!
Posted by: Kathy Ann | 09/26/2011 at 11:41 PM
love Tessa clogs. Would love to see the mary jane clog in a Bobby Joe style for a man.
Posted by: evan | 09/26/2011 at 11:42 PM
PS: Love to see a fury clog. I rarely, if ever, wear socks, even in the winter. Will be shovelling snow in open-back clogs. Please, please, give me a fury clog for the winter!
Posted by: Kathy Ann | 09/26/2011 at 11:47 PM
Nice kudos from John Fluevog! Saw it on Facebook.
Hooray Lindsay!
Posted by: Debby | 09/27/2011 at 05:19 PM
Really! Oh, my!
Posted by: Lindsey Cochran | 09/27/2011 at 05:25 PM