Filson
Bedrock Manufacturing · United States
Filson is a Seattle outdoor clothing, accessories and luggage brand founded in 1897 by Clinton C. Filson to outfit Klondike Gold Rush prospectors. Wikipedia lists Bedrock Manufacturing as owner since 2012.
| Founded | 1897, Seattle |
|---|---|
| Founder | Clinton C. Filson |
| Owner | Bedrock Manufacturing (since 2012) |
| Headquarters | Seattle, United States |
| Chief executive | Paolo Corinaldesi (since 2021) |
| Website | filson.com |
What is Filson?
C.C. Filson Co. makes men's and women's outdoor clothing, accessories and luggage, and also offers clothing repair and rewaxing services. It is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
History
Clinton C. Filson, a former Nebraska homesteader and railroad conductor, founded the business in Seattle in 1897 as C.C. Filson's Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers. It outfitted Klondike Gold Rush prospectors and later moved to hunting, fishing, logging and other outdoor work. After Filson's death in 1919 ownership passed to his widow Winifred and nephew George Stroble. The family sold the company in 1970 to a former distributor, and in 1981 Stan Kohls bought it and revived its archived designs.
Ownership and leadership
Brentwood Associates and Doug Williams acquired the company in 2005 and renamed it Filson Holdings. Bedrock Manufacturing, a Dallas based private company, acquired it in 2012. Paolo Corinaldesi was appointed chief executive in 2021, and Tim Bantle was named president in 2025.
Business model and distribution
Filson sells through company owned stores, catalogues, its website, authorised dealers and international distributors. Wikipedia lists 15 company stores, with flagships in Seattle and New York and further locations in the United States, Canada and Italy. Production has shifted overseas, and the share of US made products fell from 90 percent in 2015 to 35 percent in 2025, according to the same source.
Why it matters
Filson is a prominent example of a heritage workwear brand repositioned as a premium lifestyle label, and its production shift shows the tension between provenance and scale.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Filson?
Wikipedia lists Bedrock Manufacturing Co., a Dallas based private company, as owner since it acquired Filson in 2012.
Where is Filson from?
Filson is an American brand founded in Seattle in 1897 by Clinton C. Filson to outfit Klondike Gold Rush prospectors.