Art and Fashion Scenes in Dusseldorf

The wealthy city of Dusseldorf in western Germany has come to be known as a hotbed of art and fashion.

In fact, a culture of art goes back to 1773, when the art academy was founded in the city. Renowned artists such as Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter trained there, and the connection continues to this day. Dusseldorf is in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the local government maintains an impressive art collection known as the Kunstsammlung.

There are three exhibition spaces in the city, the K20 at Grabbeplatz, the K21 at Standehaus and the Schmela Haus. The focus is on classical Modernism, with major works from Picasso, Matisse and Mondrian part of the permanent collection, and there is also a huge number of works by 20^th-century American artists on display.

Fashion came to Dusseldorf later, but it has certainly made up some ground. The city’s main shopping street, the Königsallee, is home to almost every major designer you can think of. There are also local designers represented around Lorettostrasse, and the locals certainly look like they appreciate fashion. Stroll the Königsallee and you will be struck by the fact people aren’t just window shopping, they’re buying and wearing pieces of fashion history.