Counter-culture boutique offers rare items
Iliana Deanda
Located in the heart of Phoenix away from all the commercial clothing stores, lies a hip hop landmark, a boutique that stands apart from any other retail experience. Store owner Alan Taylor describes the meaning behind the name Main Artistry. “The whole idea of the name Main Artistry is that it’s kind of like your main artery. It’s what our blood pumps through and it’s what keeps us alive,” said Taylor. “I have always done a lot of different things as far as what made me feel accomplished creatively, so to me it’s always been about the art.”
The concept of putting a store together with rare hip hop clothing, music, videos, literature, as well as a recording studio comes down to owner Alan Taylor and the help of a some friends.
“Main Artistry was essentially transformed into a source for recording as well as retail items of this culture through necessity,” said Taylor. “It got to the point where I was recording a lot of people at my apartment and I needed to expand. I wanted to do something more for the AZ hip-hop community which had always taken good care of me.”
With Arizona lacking in hip hop boutiques, Taylor wanted to give people access to unique clothing and music as well as providing them with an authentic experience of the culture while shopping.
When thinking of a hip hop boutique most generalize and think that they are only intended for males, however at Main Artistry this isn’t the case. Taylor caters heavy to the female clientele.
“This shop carries a good deal of both women’s and men’s items. The women’s selection has taken off and I think I am going to gear even more towards women in the future,” he said.
The shop provides an urban feel with the industrial metal racks that display clothing and contemporary lounge area to hang out in.
Despite being in downtown Phoenix, location is still important. Taylor believes that being away from the corporate stores is a good thing for the shop, and the destination location is an attraction.
“Everyone that I buy from is independent. They own their label and aren’t widely distributed. They are still at that grass roots level which makes their items harder to find,” he said.
Many local and national acts make their way into the shop for in-store events. To find out about these, come down to the shop and ask Alex or Rae Rae or stay glued to www.MA1619.com for more information. The website is always current and never gets stale.
