A theater-trained boutique owner brings color, sparkle, and a touch of drama to Copenhagen’s historic Strædet district — and shares her guide to the city, from slow Italian breakfasts to playful evenings at café intime.
Editor’s note: Cecilie de la Prada, owner of Dudette in Copenhagen, reached out to Locals Insider to share the story behind her boutique and her own insider’s guide to the city. And, we love pearls and sparkling things. What follows is in her words.
My name is Cecilie, and I run a boutique called Dudette on Kompagnistræde, in the heart of Copenhagen’s Strædet district. I’m originally from Nørresundby in northern Denmark, but I’ve built my life here in the capital, and this is where Dudette was born.
Before opening the shop, I worked in theater — and that background still influences everything I do. Theater taught me that clothing is never just clothing. It tells a story, creates a mood, and gives people permission to become a more expressive version of themselves. That idea sits at the heart of everything I choose for Dudette.
“I wanted to create a place where individuality came first — a place where a sequined jacket, a pearl cape, or a dramatic accessory wasn’t considered ‘too much,’ but exactly the right amount.”
Why I Opened Dudette
The idea for Dudette came from a feeling I couldn’t shake — that fashion had become too predictable. Everywhere I looked, people were being encouraged to dress alike, follow trends, and play it safe. I wanted to create a place where individuality came first.
Our Pearl Cape collection is, I think, the clearest expression of that philosophy. These pieces don’t ask for permission, and they don’t try to blend in. They celebrate confidence, playfulness, and personality. Copenhagen is known for great design, but I felt there was room for a little more sparkle, humor, and fabulousness.
Who Comes Through the Door
The funny thing about Dudette is that there isn’t really one typical customer. What everyone shares is a willingness to express themselves.
Some are creative professionals. Some are entrepreneurs. Some are collectors of beautiful things. Some simply love getting dressed. And I have wonderful women who have reached a point in life where they no longer dress to please anyone else.
“Age isn’t what connects them. Confidence does.”
A Dudette customer isn’t necessarily the loudest person in the room, but she enjoys wearing something that starts a conversation. She understands that fashion can be fun, and she believes life is too short to save the good outfit for a special occasion.
Why I Think People Want Individuality Now
I think people are tired of looking like everyone else. For years, fast fashion trained us to consume trends quickly, but it often came at the expense of personality. Today, more and more people are looking for pieces with character, craftsmanship, and a story behind them.
Clothing, jewelry, and home décor have become forms of self-expression. We curate our homes, our wardrobes, even our social media to reflect who we are. A statement necklace, a pearl cape, or a colorful object says something about your identity that a mass-produced trend often cannot. People want authenticity. They want pieces that feel like extensions of themselves, rather than uniforms.
Where to Wear It
The question I’m asked most often, after someone has bought a pearl cape or a beaded jacket from us, is: where do I actually wear it?
My answer is always the same. Wherever you want.
Copenhagen may seem understated at first glance, but it has plenty of places where a fabulous outfit feels perfectly at home. One of the things I love most about this city is that people appreciate personal style. You don’t need a special event or a red carpet — just wear something you love and enjoy the day.
I’d start with a glass of wine at Bottega di Graziano on Værnedamsvej — the street locals call “Little Paris.” The atmosphere is lively, stylish, and effortlessly chic. It’s the kind of place where people appreciate personality and great style.
For dinner, I love Restaurant Zeleste, especially on an evening when you can sit by the fireplace. It feels elegant, warm, and a little bit magical. Great food, wine, and cocktails.
“If you’re wearing a pearl cape, don’t wait for a gala. Wear it to dinner, wear it for cocktails, wear it while walking through the city. Copenhagen is much more stylish when people dare to be seen.”
Breakfast, Coffee, and the Slow Side of Copenhagen
For breakfast, one of my favorite places is Next Door Café on Larsbjørnsstræde. It’s relaxed, the service is great, the coffee is good, and the breakfasts are wonderful.
For coffee and people-watching, I often head to the Meatpacking District (Kødbyen) — there are so many great cafés side by side, and the energy is different from the more polished parts of town.
Where I Go to Recharge
Running an independent boutique is intense, and I have my own rituals for slowing down. Water is my reset button. I love walking along the harbor and through Christianshavn — the canal district always helps me clear my mind.
I also find a lot of inspiration in museums, particularly Thorvaldsens Museum, where craftsmanship and history remind me that great ideas often come from revisiting timeless principles — and that it’s okay for things to take time.
Sometimes inspiration comes from something much simpler. A glass of wine with friends. An interesting conversation. Discovering an unexpected color combination while wandering through the city. Theater still influences me, too — I often think about costumes, characters, and storytelling when I’m selecting pieces for the shop.
24 Hours in My Copenhagen
If you only have one day in Copenhagen and want to experience the city the way I do, this is where I’d send you.
1. Breakfast — Bottega di Graziano
Start the day Italian-style with a slow morning and breakfast at the wine bar on Værnedamsvej. The pace sets the tone for everything that follows.
Værnedamsvej 10, 1619 Copenhagen V
Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–16:00 & 17:00–midnight; closed Mondays
@graziano_cph · +45 22 13 17 03
The newer sibling of the popular Graziano on Møllegade in Nørrebro — opened December 2025, all-day Italian café and restaurant in the heart of “Little Paris.”
2. A Walk — Christianshavn
Explore the city’s connection to the water with a walk through Christianshavn. It’s one of my favorite morning walks, and a really beautiful and old part of Copenhagen.
3. Design & Inspiration — Thorvaldsens Museum
Take your time here. The colors, and the combination of slow movements and insane craftsmanship, is breathtaking. Allow more time than you think you need.
4. Shopping — The Strædet District
Skip the high-street chains and head for Copenhagen’s historic Strædet district. Among the most charming streets are Kompagnistræde, Larsbjørnsstræde, Studiestræde, and Hyskenstræde, where independent boutiques, local designers, and hidden gems wait around every corner — including, of course, a stop at Dudette.
5. Evening — café intime
Finish with a drink at café intime. It’s where Copenhagen becomes a little more playful after dark, and the conversations with creative strangers there are often quite inspiring.
That itinerary, I think, captures what I love most about this city: creativity, design, atmosphere, and the freedom to express yourself.
“In many ways, that’s exactly what Dudette is about, too.”
If you’re in Copenhagen, come say hello on Kompagnistræde. Bring your sparkle.
— Cecilie
Addresses & Details
Dudette
Kompagnistræde 29, 1208 Copenhagen K
Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–17:30, Sat 11:00–16:00, Sun closed
dudette.dk · @dudette.dk · +45 93 93 31 04
Bottega di Graziano
Værnedamsvej 10, 1619 Copenhagen V
Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–16:00 & 17:00–midnight; closed Mondays
@graziano_cph · +45 22 13 17 03
The newer sibling of the popular Graziano on Møllegade in Nørrebro — opened December 2025, all-day Italian café and restaurant in the heart of “Little Paris.”
Restaurant Zeleste
Store Strandstræde 6, 1255 Copenhagen K (just off Nyhavn)
Hours: Daily 12:00–22:00; Fri–Sat until 22:30
zeleste.dk · +45 33 16 06 06
17th-century building with a cobbled courtyard and open fireplace. French-Nordic cuisine with a seafood focus. Reservations recommended.
Next Door Café
Larsbjørnsstræde 23, 1453 Copenhagen K (the Pisserenden / Latin Quarter)
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–15:30
@next_door_cafe · +45 27 12 08 18
Homemade pancakes, breakfast sandwiches and fresh juices. Owner Skyler bakes everything himself.
Thorvaldsens Museum
Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2, 1213 Copenhagen K (on Slotsholmen, beside Christiansborg Palace)
Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00; closed Mondays
Admission: DKK 110 adults; free for under-18s; free for all on Wednesdays
thorvaldsensmuseum.dk · +45 21 68 75 68
Denmark’s first public museum, opened 1848. The building itself is the attraction — vivid wall colors, mosaic floors, and richly painted ceilings.
café intime
Allegade 25, 2000 Frederiksberg
Hours: Daily 16:00–02:00
cafeintime.dk · +45 38 34 19 58
Opened in 1922. Cabaret-style piano bar with live jazz on Sundays. Famously welcoming, famously unpredictable.
The Neighborhoods
Strædet District — the cluster of historic streets between Kompagnistræde, Larsbjørnsstræde, Studiestræde, Hyskenstræde and surrounds. Independent boutiques, local designers, and the highest concentration of small shops in central Copenhagen.
Christianshavn — the canal district built in the 17th century by Christian IV. Boat-lined harborfront paths, narrow side streets and Copenhagen’s most photogenic morning walks. A 10-minute walk or one Metro stop from central Copenhagen.
Meatpacking District (Kødbyen) — the white-and-brown former industrial zone in Vesterbro, now home to many of Copenhagen’s most-talked-about cafés, restaurants and bars. Best for coffee, casual lunches and weekend people-watching.
If you’re planning a longer stay in Denmark, our Copenhagen city guide covers neighborhoods, food, and the best of the city’s independent design scene.
