Welcome back to the Locals Edit, Funktion’s monthly city guide told by the people who actually make this place interesting. Every edition is an invitation into the minds of the locals shaping San Diego’s cultural pulse, from underground shows and pop-ups to the spaces and creative worlds we highlight in our weekly lineup.
This month, we’re handing the mic to Dante Rowley: founder, designer, curator, and connector whose career has woven through fashion, art, retail, and community. From early days of running his own brand - Rosewood - to reimagining what retail can feel like at MCASD, Dante’s work blurs the line between culture and commerce, reminding us that physical space still matters and that creativity hits different when it’s lived, not scrolled. Whether he’s shaping museum retail, collaborating with global artists, or building something entirely new behind the scenes, Dante is one of the people redefining what San Diego can look and feel like.