The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
1979. Old enough to have taste, young enough to still be forming it. That year has weight. YVRA names each fragrance after a year with personal meaning, and 1979 is this one. Not nostalgia, exactly. More like a reference point. L'Essence de Présence captures something about that period, the way certain moments stay with you. The fragrance opens with bergamot and lemon, clean and bright, the kind of citrus that announces itself without apology. Orange blossom threads through softly, keeping the citrus from becoming sharp. At the heart, cedar builds alongside pepper oil and cardamom, creating warmth without sweetness. The base of Indonesian patchouli and guaiac wood settles into resinous depth.
The note structure makes that year legible. Bergamot and lemon open clean, the kind of citrus that announces itself without apology. But orange blossom is the quiet threading, it softens the edges, keeps the citrus from going sharp. The heart is where it gets interesting: cedar arrives gradually, layering in with the pepper and cardamom until the whole composition reads as warm and woody without ever becoming heavy. Pepper oil and cardamom add warmth without sweetness.
The evolution
The opening hits fast, bergamot and lemon arrive bright. The citrus doesn't linger long before the orange blossom softens everything into a quieter register. The heart is where 1979 earns its name. The cedar doesn't arrive all at once, it builds, layering in with the pepper and cardamom until the whole composition reads as warm and woody without ever becoming heavy. The drydown is where patience pays off. Patchouli and guaiac wood settle into the skin, and the tonka bean rounds the edges. The woods stay close and intimate rather than projecting outward. Bergamot and lemon open clean, the kind of citrus that announces itself without apology. But orange blossom is the quiet threading, it softens the edges, keeps the citrus from going sharp. Pepper oil and cardamom add warmth without sweetness.
Cultural impact
YVRA sits in a particular corner of the niche market. L'Essence de Présence occupies a space where complexity meets restraint, where the usual theatrical gestures are replaced with something more considered. Comparisons to Hermès Terre d'Hermès surface regularly, both share a citrus-woody-spicy territory. The fragrance appeals to those who appreciate classic structure but want something more thoughtful than the typical options. It's not about making a statement, it's about having something that works quietly, confidently, without needing to announce itself. The kind of fragrance that speaks softly but stays with you.
The House
YVRAYVRA is a niche Dutch perfumery brand based in Amsterdam, founded by Yvo Van Regteren Altena. The name itself is personal, derived from his initials combined with numbers significant to his life. Rather than chasing market trends, YVRA positions itself as a deliberate alternative for those seeking natural ingredients over synthetic compositions. The house offers a curated collection of fragrances, each named after a year that holds personal meaning, forming the L'Essence de series. Every YVRA fragrance emerges from collaboration with professional perfumers, reflecting a belief that mastery requires multiple voices. The brand made its public debut at TFWA Cannes in 2021, introducing its approach to an international audience of travel retail professionals and fragrance enthusiasts.
The Creator
Yvo van Regteren AltenaHis style favors clarity and intentionality over complexity for its own sake. Van Regteren Altena demonstrates particular skill in balancing contrasting elements to create tension and release within a fragrance.
