An OBX Christmas: Chameleon Clogs

Rabiah Hodges creates traditional Swedish clogs with a modern design for a highly personalized look.

She is the owner of Chameleon Clogs and a hands-on “mini factory” in Nags Head.

Her clogs and sandals are made on traditional wooden soles. The tops are leather or velveteen fabric woven in a variety of colors and patterns. They are available in every size for men, women and children; heels on the shoes range between 1 and 4 inches.

Hodges partnered up with Dala Clogs in September 2010. They helped her with training for making clogs as well as running a combination of manufacturing and store business. She gets wooden soles from Sweden and through her partner gained access to authentic leather materials.

Her background in arts and textile design lends itself well to her line of work.

She is working on finding all of her materials in the U.S. “Being 100-percent made in the USA is very important to me.” Hodges said.

In October 2010, she opened her premier store in Nags Head and now Chameleon Clogs LLC is the umbrella company manufacturing Dala and Chameleon footwear in the United States.

She offers her customers the chance to paint their own clogs at no extra cost. This individual crafting is offered by appointment only and with a maximum of three customers at a time.

Her store racks boast her latest creations: clogs and sandals as well as plenty of accessories such as scarfs and handbags. Matching color leg warmers make the clogs or Mary Janes look more like boots.

The back of the store is where the practical side of manufacturing meets the creative side of designing. The video shows how.

Visit her website at www.clogs4u.com or her store, Chameleon Clogs at 10.5 Shopping Center in Nags Head.

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