In 1974 Seattle’s Ann Michelson quit her job at Eddie Bauer (inventor of the first down quilted jacket) to launch her own outerwear enterprise, Crescent Down Works. Sewing custom-order down vests by hand, she carved out a niche in the demanding Northwest. Now nearly a half-century later, Crescent Down Works offers a handful of classic styles, made to order of time tested and sustainably sourced materials—and the business is still entirely family-owned and run by a team of dynamic women.
As a son of the Northwest myself, I’ve long sought the original North by Northwest Vest, and dreamed of owning a Down Shirt or Classico Down Parka. Each an absolute classic made in exactly the same fashion for decades. Think Twin Peaks vibes. The brand’s newly relaunched website proves there’s still much to covet yet.