So, my knee jerk reaction when I saw your post was "I met Dana and his son this year at SHOT, and his son is a total hipster. I'll bet he had something to do with this." Then I actually read the article, and it all fits.
That's honestly funny.
There's a TON of money in archival/retro clothing and accessories, especially if they do it right, i.e. limited editions, special "traditional" patterns, niche advertising in Japan, Honk Kong, and possibly greater China. A lot of people don't know it, but Dana Design was an active company in Japan beyond what it was here in the States. It might still be today. I'm not sure. I don't think Dana Gleason had anything to do with it, though. Marmot probably recognized how highly Dana Design was regarded, and
collected, by the Japanese. My assumption there was that they licensed, or sold outright, to yet another party that was operating solely out of Japan. I haven't looked for a year or more, but there used to be a Dana Design Japanese website with new products.
Mountaineering is/was a big deal in Japan. People collect gear there because of its strong cultural presence and familiarity. Certain companies managed to build a collector market behind them, just like certain high fashion designers have all over the world. It isn't uncommon here in the States, but it's been around a lot longer in Japan. A lot of the nicest Dana Design packs on eBay are won by Japanese buyers. And they're serious about their collecting. They know their [bleep], and they have money to spend.