"Düsseldorf combines an incredible amount of creativity."

Neonyt took place in Düsseldorf for the first time in January 2023. Ulrike Kähler brought the trade fair for eco & fair fashion to Areal Böhler. She was born into fashion. Her parents ran "Ulrich & Ulrike", a well-known children's fashion store in Düsseldorf, which they named after her and a family friend of the same age. After Kähler's training at Messe Düsseldorf and a foray into the catering industry, including her own restaurant, the busy power woman is now Managing Director of Igedo Exhibitions and runs the Fashnrooms and Shoes fashion fairs. This is where retailers and buyers are already ordering the new collections for fall/winter 2024/25. With Neonyt, Ulrike Kähler is dedicating herself to a topic that is currently close to her and the industry's heart: Sustainability in fashion. Between the tough trade fair business and the fast-paced fashion world, the dedicated businesswoman likes to party and relax in her home: the idyllic north of Düsseldorf.

Ulrike, what are your first memories of the fashion world?
I was practically born into fashion. My first memories include doing my homework in the shop window. My parents ran six fashion stores, so we children had no choice but to study there after school and experience the hustle and bustle of the fashion stores up close.

Did you never want to follow in your parents' footsteps?
My wish was always to do something with fashion, as I really enjoyed this world. But I wanted to do more than "just" stay in retail: I wanted to get to know all sides of fashion. I wanted to communicate with fashion, rediscover fashion and curate it. So after graduating from high school, I did an apprenticeship at Messe Düsseldorf and worked in VIP service for eight years, which is very beneficial to me today. Then I left the trade fair world completely and opened a large restaurant in Baden-Württemberg with my partner at the time. At the time, people around me shook their heads that I could just leave an established company like that. But I've always been very busy. Two and a half intensive, exhausting years in the catering industry taught me how to completely satisfy customers. I have always been passionate about service and have lived it.

Today you are at the helm of the Igedo with Philipp Kronen - what significance does the trade fair company have for the city of Düsseldorf?
The Igedo is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The "Interessengemeinschaft Damenoberbekleidung", as it was originally called, was founded in 1949 by 21 companies who wanted to present fashion together. In its heyday, the Igedo filled a total of 16 halls with six fashion fairs and fashion shows - you have to imagine that scale today. Back then, we had the world's largest fashion trade fair here in Düsseldorf, the CPD. I started at Igedo 18 years ago and experienced all the highs and lows of the fashion industry first hand. In the meantime, we have moved from the exhibition grounds to the Areal Böhler as our venue and plan three fashion fairs every six months with a small, agile, very great team.

How can we imagine your work as a trade fair manager?
As trade fair organizers, we are ahead of our time. When one fashion fair starts, we're already working on the next one. I fly across Europe and curate small brands and plan the trade fair program, such as trend presentations. It's a challenging 24/7 job until a fashion fair is ready with all the stands and square meters. I always say: you either have to do it with all your heart and a lot of dedication - or you'd better not.

Does that workload leave you any free time at all?
A lot of people actually ask me that. My two grown-up children are my number one priority, we make time for ourselves and go out into nature at the weekend. But I also like to go out and party, as a counterpart to twelve hours in the office. I like being out and about, and I just attended two great carnival events in Düsseldorf at the weekend. There's not much time left, but I make the most of it. My second family is the Igedo. I go to work every day with great enthusiasm.

With Neonyt, you have brought a trade fair for sustainable fashion to Düsseldorf. How important is this topic - for you personally and for the industry as a whole?
When we first organized Neonyt in Düsseldorf a year ago, sustainability was already on everyone's lips. It was clear to me that we absolutely needed a platform for sustainable fashion in Düsseldorf. For collections that pursue sustainable approaches and are still fashionable. At Neonyt, we showcase many small brands and start-ups that often don't have big business plans yet, but have great ideas and urgently need to be seen. I hope that the topic of sustainability will continue to gain in importance among end consumers.

What makes fashion sustainable in your eyes?
For me personally, sustainability in fashion means staying true to my style and buying high-quality, durable and timeless clothes that also stay in my wardrobe for a long time. I don't follow every trend or wear every color. I prefer to invest in quality products that I can combine in different ways for many years. Thanks to Neonyt, I have gotten to know and love a lot of sustainable brands. My 27-year-old daughter also lives very sustainably and inspires me with ideas every day - whether in terms of food, fashion or travel.

What makes Düsseldorf a fashion city?
The city combines an incredible amount of creativity. It enjoys a reputation as an international shopping destination. It is not big, incredibly easy to reach and has many beautiful and exciting corners with creative stores in addition to Königsallee. Düsseldorfers are cheerful, friendly people who simply love fashion - whether on the Kö or in the creative little boutiques in Pempelfort, Flingern and Unterbilk.

You describe yourself as a Düsseldorfer with heart and soul. What do you like about the city?
The north of Düsseldorf is my home, that's where I grew up and where my parents' house is. I live in Kaiserswerth and love long walks along the Rhine. But I also enjoy being in the middle of the hustle and bustle at Carlsplatz, walking along Hohe Straße or Lorettostraße and discovering small side streets. The best thing about Düsseldorf: It doesn't take me long to get from A to B and I can walk everywhere.

Where is the best place in the city for you to relax and unwind?
Definitely Kaiserswerth. I can get on my bike here, have the Rhine on my doorstep and a pretty, idyllic district where I can get everything I need. Apart from that, I love being in Derendorf and Pempelfort, especially on Nordstraße and its small side streets. I like to get away from the city center.

As a fashion expert, where do you prefer to shop?
There's a lovely store in Kaiserswerth called Süßstoff that sells pretty little things. I like to buy accessories there. I generally buy in stores and very little online. I love the small boutiques on Nordstraße. Some of the owners now know exactly what I like and what suits me and call me when new items arrive. If I'm looking for something for a special occasion, I sometimes find it at Breuninger.

Where do you like to eat?
Rigatoni & Riesling on the Areal Böhler is an Italian restaurant that I really like. It has excellent food, great wines and a wonderful atmosphere. An absolute discovery for me is Malinas on Tannenstraße with its delicious Polish cuisine. It's beautifully decorated inside, with a colorful mix of nice people, and I sometimes get a table there spontaneously. Tannenstraße has generally developed very well in recent years and is my absolute insider tip in Düsseldorf.

Further information at neonyt-duesseldorf.com

Interview: Karolina Landowski
Photos: Markus Luigs & press photos Neonyt