Mathilde Prins: “Amager is the perfect blend of countryside and city”
Mathilde Prins, 37, founder and creative director of the vibrant slow fashion brand Odd Existence. She lives in Amager. Follow Mathilde at @myrainbowfeeling
1. When does Copenhagen feel most like your city?
"Copenhagen feels like my city in every season, but most of all when spring arrives and everything starts to bloom again. That’s when I fall in love all over again. When I bike through the city with the sun on my face, notice that the cherry trees have blossomed once again, stroll with a coffee in hand, watch people sitting here and there who’ve emerged from their winter hibernation, and when I’m zipping from A to B with little stops along the way. That’s when it all feels extra alive."
Mathilde's guilty pleasure: A scratcher with all the trimmings
My guilty pleasure is definitely a hot dog on the go. I don't eat meat, so a hot dog from the food truck is perfect.
2. What place in the city do you always return to?
"Amager. It’s the perfect blend of city life and tranquility. I can be right in the thick of things and still retreat to nature and the water—and that’s a balance I really need in my daily life. This is where I’ve lived ever since I moved to Copenhagen from Lolland when I was 19 (with a brief detour to Indre Østerbro). I really feel at home here. There’s something about the contrasts on Amager that still feel authentic, and I love that. And so much has happened out here over the last 10 years."
3. What’s your best tip for thrift shopping in Copenhagen?
“Look for places that don’t feel too ‘curated,’ like small, slightly cluttered thrift and vintage shops or flea markets where you really have to dig around. That’s often where you’ll find items with personality, a touch of something special, and a story behind them. A relatively new vintage shop I really like is Comeback Couture in Vesterbro.”
Comeback Couture
With My Copenhagen, we take you on a surprising journey through the city, where famous Copenhageners and local legends share their hidden gems.
4. What hidden gem is almost too good to share?
"I absolutely love community gardens, and on Amager—or perhaps more accurately, in Christianshavn—lies Copenhagen’s oldest one, called Vennelyst. It feels like a little time capsule when you step inside. They have a cozy kiosk and an incredibly charming outdoor area where we often stop by in the summer with our two boys for a lemonade and an ice pop."
Another gem that I think more people have discovered by now is Jato, located a short way down Amagerbrogade. It’s a truly excellent sourdough bakery that has become my new go-to spot. It’s right across from my studio and serves really good coffee, BMO, and Danish pastries."
Mathilde loves the atmosphere in Vennelyst
5. Which metro station is your favorite?
"Marmorkirken is probably the most beautiful, but DR Byen is a bit underrated. It feels more peaceful than many of the others, and it’s close to both nature and the water. And here’s a great tip: Bake My Day is tucked away behind the metro station. I love grabbing a cupcake and a good coffee to go and taking a walk out to Amager Fælled. And if you’re just in a hurry, there’s often a little coffee cart right by the exit."
Mathilde's favorite station: DR Byen
Experiences with the Metro
Meet more familiar faces in My Copenhagen