The Quartermaster grew out of a family that has collected and traded vintage military gear since the 1970s, based in Prato, Italy -- a city with its own centuries-old history as a hub for regenerated wool and used clothing. Its designs draw directly on that archive of 20th-century military and workwear pieces. The brand used to sell through high-end retailers worldwide but now sells only direct to consumer, and has dropped end-of-season sales in favor of a year-round loyalty program.