The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Ubud Retreat was launched in 2023 by fragrance house Yu Parfums, with the composition credited to Alexandra Kosinski. Its title evokes a retreat while the fragrance itself is grounded in a floral composition. Mandarin Orange supplies a bright entry, ginger adds clean heat, and the heart settles into jasmine, mimosa, orris root and Cashmere. Indonesian patchouli and amber give the later stages weight, turning a fresh-feeling opening into something warmer and more tactile. Together, the notes create a measured arc from citrus brightness to floral softness, then to a dry, earthy finish with warmth lingering close to the skin.
The interesting part is how polish meets earth. Orris root brings a powdery, softly suede-like texture, while jasmine and mimosa keep the floral side airy rather than dense. Indonesian patchouli then supplies the weight that makes the composition feel grounded. Amber ties the warmth together, Cashmere adds a smooth, blanket-like texture, and pink pepper keeps the softer passages from becoming too comfortable. It's a familiar family of notes, arranged for contrast and balance.
The evolution
The first impression is quick and sparkling, with mandarin orange meeting ginger and pink pepper in a clean, bright lift. That energy softens as jasmine and mimosa enter, while orris root lays down a pale powdery texture. Cashmere makes the middle feel smoother and more enveloping. As the composition dries down, Indonesian patchouli becomes more present, replacing citrus brightness with an earthy, polished depth. Amber then leaves a warm finish close to the skin. The scent moves gradually from crisp citrus and gentle spice toward soft florals, smooth warmth and a darker earthy base, with each stage revealing a different balance of the listed notes.
Cultural impact
Ubud Retreat is a fragrance defined by its composition of citrus, floral, powdery, woody, earthy and warm notes. Mandarin orange, ginger and pink pepper create an energetic opening before jasmine and mimosa soften the center with a light floral character. Orris root and Cashmere add smooth, tactile textures, while Indonesian patchouli and amber deepen the composition. Together, they offer a layered way to explore fragrance, with contrasting notes taking turns at the forefront as the scent develops.
The House
Yu ParfumsYu Parfums is a London fragrance house founded in 2020 with a focus on scented narratives and a unisex collection. Its fragrances are built around places, moods and moments, with names such as Aurora Borealis, Yosemite Rush, Kashmir Embrace, Tokyo by Night, Monteverde Mist and Ubud Retreat. The house also organizes its range as chapters, including Chapter II and Chapter III, extending the sense of a fragrance collection as a story unfolding over time. Yu Parfums has attracted attention through its direct-to-consumer subscription model, which introduces customers to its own-brand scents on a recurring basis. The brand operates in a crowded category of independent perfume houses, yet its identity rests on a clear proposition: fragrance as a personal story, offered for exploration and collection.
The Creator
Alexandra KosinskiKosinski gravitates toward natural and organic raw materials, working with high-quality botanical and vegan ingredients. She favors transparent, nature-forward constructions that prioritize clarity and authenticity over complexity for its own sake.
