Talk or Panel FROM CONCEPT TO RETAIL: DANTE ROWLEY’S PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS – STRATEGIC INSIGHTS INTO DESIGN, SOURCING AND CURATION

Dante Rowley takes attendees behind the scenes of his end-to-end creative process for building impactful collaborations at the intersection of art, sports, and streetwear. Moving beyond a standard career recap, Rowley focuses on the practical mechanics of translating high-concept ideas into tangible consumer products and immersive retail environments. He breaks down his framework for pitching co-branded initiatives, balancing creative intent with operational realities, and scaling commercial touchpoints without diluting brand authenticity. Attendees will gain actionable insights into identifying cultural trends, designing resonant product lines, and crafting commerce experiences that connect deeply with modern audiences.

“My work sits at the intersection of design, manufacturing, branding, and commerce. Across my roles with The Dean Collection, MCASD, and hospitality and retail projects, my process usually starts with understanding the story we’re trying to tell and the audience we’re trying to reach. From there, I think about how that story can become a physical product or experience designing the concept, determining materials and details, sourcing the right manufacturers, understanding costs and margins, and ultimately figuring out how the product is presented and sold. I’ll talk about that entire process, from an idea or piece of artwork to manufacturing and production, and finally to building a brand and creating something people actually want to buy and connect with.”

About the Host

Dante Rowley