Top Notes 
Mint
Bergamot
Heart Notes 
Black tea
Ginger
Lavender
Base Notes 
Ambroxan
Frankincense
Cinnamon
Zeinse
14 Reviews
Zeinse
Helpful Review
4
It's not a clone, but a twist. Side-by-Side: Lattafa Art of Arabia I vs. Louis Vuitton Imagination
Today, I had the chance to test Lattafa Art of Arabia I directly with Louis Vuitton’s Imagination, and the experience was revealing.
Opening:
Art of Arabia I opens with a bold, synthetic-leaning citrus burst, dominated by bergamot and a pronounced mint note. This is quite different from Imagination’s opening, which is immediately soapy, citrusy and fresh. The Lattafa’s opening is more assertive and lingers with a synthetic edge for at least the first hour and a half. Personally, this initial phase is not my favorite—it’s louder and less refined, with the bergamot and mint taking center stage before the heart notes emerge
Development and Drydown:
After about two hours, the fragrance starts to settle, and this is where the resemblance to Imagination becomes more apparent. The transition brings forward notes of black tea, ginger, and a soapy, ambroxan-driven freshness. However, Art of Arabia I never becomes a perfect clone; it retains its own identity, with the ginger and mint remaining more pronounced than in Imagination. The ambroxan lends a clean, soapy character, but the Lattafa version is bolder and less subtle, with that synthetic undertone persisting throughout the wear... For that, I think I prefer Imagination;
Comparison and Value:
Art of Arabia I isn’t a direct clone: it’s more of a reinterpretation. If you’re expecting a 1:1 match, you’ll notice differences: the Lattafa is more synthetic, with a stronger mint and ginger presence, and lacks some of the natural, airy nuance of Imagination. That said, it captures about 60-70% of the Imagination vibe, especially in the drydown, and projects a similarly uplifting, unisex freshness that’s ideal for spring and summer
For the price of 50$/€, Art of Arabia I offers excellent value, especially compared to the much higher cost of Imagination. If you want a scent that channels the spirit of Imagination at a fraction of the price, this is a solid choice. While I personally prefer the refinement and subtlety of Imagination (despite its premium price tag), Art of Arabia I is a commendable alternative for those seeking a fresh, citrusy, and slightly sweet scent with a modern twist.
In the end even though I prefer the LV's original, I don't think I will be getting it, or at least not at the moment. I might just go with Art of Arabia I, see if I get compliments and if I do, maybe way later i'll buy the imagination one. Even though I think they're not exactly the same, I still think that if you get compliment in one you'll naturally get compliments on the other since they are the same with different twists.
But honestly it might be a long shot before I spend 300 or 500€ on the LV Perfume. For the price i've smelled more complex and complete fragrances, however, imagination wins on its versatility. I will post my review of Imagination on that page and you can check it out if you are somewhat invested in my review of it :) Thank you for reading!
Opening:
Art of Arabia I opens with a bold, synthetic-leaning citrus burst, dominated by bergamot and a pronounced mint note. This is quite different from Imagination’s opening, which is immediately soapy, citrusy and fresh. The Lattafa’s opening is more assertive and lingers with a synthetic edge for at least the first hour and a half. Personally, this initial phase is not my favorite—it’s louder and less refined, with the bergamot and mint taking center stage before the heart notes emerge
Development and Drydown:
After about two hours, the fragrance starts to settle, and this is where the resemblance to Imagination becomes more apparent. The transition brings forward notes of black tea, ginger, and a soapy, ambroxan-driven freshness. However, Art of Arabia I never becomes a perfect clone; it retains its own identity, with the ginger and mint remaining more pronounced than in Imagination. The ambroxan lends a clean, soapy character, but the Lattafa version is bolder and less subtle, with that synthetic undertone persisting throughout the wear... For that, I think I prefer Imagination;
Comparison and Value:
Art of Arabia I isn’t a direct clone: it’s more of a reinterpretation. If you’re expecting a 1:1 match, you’ll notice differences: the Lattafa is more synthetic, with a stronger mint and ginger presence, and lacks some of the natural, airy nuance of Imagination. That said, it captures about 60-70% of the Imagination vibe, especially in the drydown, and projects a similarly uplifting, unisex freshness that’s ideal for spring and summer
For the price of 50$/€, Art of Arabia I offers excellent value, especially compared to the much higher cost of Imagination. If you want a scent that channels the spirit of Imagination at a fraction of the price, this is a solid choice. While I personally prefer the refinement and subtlety of Imagination (despite its premium price tag), Art of Arabia I is a commendable alternative for those seeking a fresh, citrusy, and slightly sweet scent with a modern twist.
In the end even though I prefer the LV's original, I don't think I will be getting it, or at least not at the moment. I might just go with Art of Arabia I, see if I get compliments and if I do, maybe way later i'll buy the imagination one. Even though I think they're not exactly the same, I still think that if you get compliment in one you'll naturally get compliments on the other since they are the same with different twists.
But honestly it might be a long shot before I spend 300 or 500€ on the LV Perfume. For the price i've smelled more complex and complete fragrances, however, imagination wins on its versatility. I will post my review of Imagination on that page and you can check it out if you are somewhat invested in my review of it :) Thank you for reading!
Updated on 04/24/2025
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