The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Project 1945 draws from Indonesian geography and history, and Fields of Ubud takes its name from the cultural heart of Bali, a town synonymous with rice terraces, art, yoga, and a certain spiritual stillness. The brief was to capture that: the lush green, the morning air, the deep earthiness that persists despite the tourism. Java vetiver serves as the foundation, a distinctly Indonesian material with a mineral, rooty quality that grounds the composition. Cool sage and lavender bring European herbalism into the mix, an East-meets-West tension that keeps the fragrance from feeling purely tropical.
What makes Fields of Ubud unusual is its restraint. There's no coconut sweetness, no tropical fruit, no white florals, nothing that screams vacation scent. Instead, it's built on herbs that perfumers have used for centuries: sage, lavender, vetiver. The Java vetiver adds a mineral, almost salty quality that elevates the herbal foundation into something more complex. Oakmoss adds mossy green depth, sandalwood provides warmth. The result smells like the earth after rain, clean, herbal, deeply rooted.
The evolution
The opening hits crisp and bright. Bergamot and buchu create a sharp, slightly bitter citrus that cools the skin before the herbs arrive. Within fifteen minutes, sage and lavender take over, softening everything into a green calm. Sea salt appears here too, subtle, mineral, making the herbs feel like they're growing near the ocean. The heart lasts a few hours, steady and unassuming. Then the base kicks in: Java vetiver first, deep and rooty, followed by oakmoss settling into something mossy and green. Sandalwood warms the whole thing from underneath. The drydown stays intimate, close to the skin, projecting softly. On fabric, the sandalwood lingers longest, you might catch it the next morning.
Cultural impact
Fields of Ubud fills a particular gap in the fragrance landscape, the aromatic, earthy fragrance that doesn't reach for sweetness or tropical clichés. It appeals to wearers who want authenticity over escapism, groundedness over fantasy. The use of Java vetiver anchors it firmly in Indonesian terroir, while the herbal heart keeps it versatile across seasons.
