HISTORY

In 1969 Anne Michelson was hired on by Eddie Bauer to help set up their first ever down testing laboratory. Anne’s contributions to the industry, namely helping to create and market devices to test down loftability, have had a notable impact on current industry standards for measuring down for garment manufacturing.

Inspired by her love of hiking, climbing, and the outdoors and her knowledge of the perfect qualities goose down had as an insulator, she started making down clothing. In 1974 Anne started the label, Crescent Down Works, and produced vests and parkas to order in her own small shop in Seattle’s University District.

Anne started showing at trade events and our product was picked up by shops in Italy and Japan. In 1980 we began wholesale manufacturing in earnest, and we moved into our first production factory in Seattle’ Capitol Hill neighborhood. Because of the flexibility of manufacturing our own product, we have had the opportunity to work with incredible creative designers who we admire. We have also formed strong bonds over the years with our wholesale clients overseas in Korea and Japan.

Anne’s kids, and the kids of our sewers, grew up in the factory, among bags of down, bolts of fabric, and piles of parkas. From early on Annie and Adam were enlisted for easy production tasks like helping to spread fabric, clip threads, and package boxes. Truly a family-run company at our core, Annie now runs the factory with her mom and brother.

Through the years Crescent Down Works has supported a community of sewers, designers, and pattern makers. We remain dedicated to in-house manufacturing – our sewers and production workers make us who we are.