UBI TU, IBI EGO

SNOUF 2026: before talking about the fragrance itself, a few words about the brand, because it truly deserves it. I had the great pleasure of meeting the founder, Giuseppe, during the SNOUF fair held these days. Giuseppe is a very kind and passionate guy; when he talks about his creations his eyes literally light up. His passion and belief in the project are tangible. Giuseppe created QVINTO ELEMENTO with a very clear and heartfelt idea: celebrating the primordial nature of Basilicata, that harsh yet poetic land where the elements still coexist in their purest form. At the center of his first creation, which I’m about to review here, lies ether, the fifth element, symbol of the connection between matter and spirit. That said, don’t expect Ubi Tu, Ibi Ego to literally reproduce the smells of Basilicata (the connection to the territory is more conceptual than realistic — and that’s perfectly fine). Ether, after all, is by definition everywhere, and this fragrance interprets that idea in its own way by translating ubiquity into VERSATILITY. It’s a fragrance suitable for everyone, every season, and every occasion, yet it never feels banal — and that’s the real challenge successfully achieved here. From a more technical perspective, we’re dealing with a beautiful oriental citrus rose. The opening is dominated by blood orange and mandarin in a very successful way: that citrus combination feels juicy but not fleeting, unlike many designer fragrances featuring the same notes. The rosy heart develops nicely, with a spicy and floral touch (I clearly detect magnolia!) that adds character. The base of vanilla and musks is delicate and stays in the background without ever taking over. I really appreciate this choice, because many would have given in to the temptation of exaggerating the sweetness (very trendy these days...). Longevity is good and the fragrance makes itself noticed. The raw materials are clearly of good quality and the concentration is noticeable. And as I’ve already said about other young brands I admire, keeping honest prices for a well-made extrait is a courageous and respectful choice toward people who truly love perfumery. I’m curious to see the next releases (although I already had a small preview at the fair — now I’m waiting for them to appear on Fragrantica!). Keep an eye on this small but very interesting brand.