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Imagination by Louis Vuitton

Men 2021

Description

Imagination by Louis Vuitton is an aromatic citrus fragrance for men. Launched in 2021, this olfactory composition was created by perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. The fragrance pyramid unfolds with top notes of citron, Calabrian bergamot, and Sicilian orange; a heart of Tunisian neroli, Nigerian ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon; and a base evoking Chinese black tea, ambroxan, guaiac wood, and frankincense.

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Quick summary

When to wear it (votes)

  • Winter 8.4%
  • Spring 34%
  • Summer 41%
  • Autumn 16%
  • Day 71%
  • Night 29%

Key notes

Community

10,256 votes

  • Positive 89%
  • Negative 4.2%
  • Neutral 6.6%
positive reviews 10 k community votes
LongevityLong-lasting SillageModerate Best momentSummer CharacterMasculine

The olfactory pyramid

A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.

The community speaks

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In the collection

Leading answer I want it

45,445 votes

Season

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Leading answer Summer

16,709 votes

Time of day

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Leading answer Day

8,403 votes

Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.

Fragrance profile

About Imagination

Main accord citrus Year 2021 Gender Men Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud

Imagination by Louis Vuitton is an aromatic citrus fragrance for men. Launched in 2021, this olfactory composition was created by perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. The fragrance pyramid unfolds with top notes of citron, Calabrian bergamot, and Sicilian orange; a heart of Tunisian neroli, Nigerian ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon; and a base evoking Chinese black tea, ambroxan, guaiac wood, and frankincense.

Musk, amber and animalic Woods and mosses Resins and balsams

How it wears

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Longevity

Leading answer Long-lasting

6,890 votes

Sillage

Leading answer Moderate

6,643 votes

Character

Leading answer Leans masculine

7,101 votes

Value perception

Leading answer Very expensive

6,835 votes

Community reviews

40 reviews

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  1. I didn’t like the scent; they say it’s citrusy, but maybe I’m just used to certain citrus perfumes and this one doesn’t fit that category. It’s quite pricey, and I really regretted it—it definitely hurt my wallet in the end. I ended up giving it to a relative, obviously not expecting to get my investment back (sadly, no one in my circle liked it, and definitely not the price, haha).

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  2. The user @wifi2025 first went to Amber Oud Aqua Dubai and said he didn’t like it, then came here to Imagination fooling himself into saying he didn’t like this one either and that it hurt his wallet. When clearly he only tested the Arabic dupe. What a joke trying to pretend to be something you’re not.

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  3. Overrated. Whoever wants to feel bad, let them. I don’t dislike the smell, but rather the product as a whole. The scent is good, and the longevity is pretty decent for a citrus. The tea note and ambroxan give it body, but wow… nothing extraordinary. It smells like black tea Nectar, just less sweet. Especially when other perfumes manage to be a 1:1 copy in the dry-down for less than 1/10th of the price. I won’t name names because there are so many cheaper clones of this perfume that manage to replicate the aroma. People gaslight themselves by calling it an unearthly, celestial, and elegant scent just because it’s expensive and has massive marketing behind it, with countless bot accounts praising it. But the reality is, yes, it’s a good smell, but so easy to replicate that it’s not worth spending €350 on it. This is for broke people like me. If you have extra cash, spend it wisely.

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  4. I smelled it on a friend and thought it was crazy, a beautiful citrus, masculine. Regarding money, it’s an extremely expensive perfume. If there’s a good clone, I’d say for me it’s a total blind buy.

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  5. A beautiful perfume. Although it’s categorized as masculine, in my skin chemistry, citrus feminine perfumes simply don’t last; however, this is pure magic. It smells fresh, clean, herbal… a true delight. It’s a timeless fragrance that evokes cleanliness, tidiness, a soapy soul, and freshness. This is a safe purchase; there’s no flaw or point of error. It’s ideal for day, night, casual events, and formal occasions. It’s one of the fragrances that has gotten me the most compliments. In my opinion, even as a woman, I would wear it… Now, the price… It’s high, undoubtedly. I won’t get into moralizing about whether it’s worth it or not; it all depends on your budget and priorities. For now, I don’t think I’ll buy it again due to the price issue, but if I find a discount or sale, I would definitely purchase it again, haha.

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  6. SebastianC2702

    Oh no, this is a perfume from the gods… In my opinion, and after having about 100 perfumes in my collection, nothing surpasses this marvel. Crystalline, simple, and very classy. It has a three-dimensional aura in the trail that is very rich, ethereal, and people wonder what smells like that… Very good.

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  7. sebastiangpantoja

    What can I say about this perfume that hasn’t been said before? That it’s great, or not so much. That it’s overrated, or not. Whether it’s worth paying $350 for it or not. All I can say is that it smells incredible… Although I’m not a huge fan of citrus perfumes, I appreciate the evolution this one has. The bergamot bomb with that touch of orange stays as the protagonist for the first 30 minutes, and then, after the first hour, the famous ambroxan with tea starts to stand out, which most fans love in this fragrance. I smell this and it lifts my spirits, puts me in a good mood… it simply smells like absolute cleanliness. It lasts about 6-7 hours on skin, which is decent, and projects a lot during the first hour. Then the dry-down is perhaps more intimate, but it leaves traces of your scent wherever you go. Now, whether it’s worth it or not is totally a personal matter for me.

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  8. Emilio Galván

    I’ll try to be concise. In my experience, one of the best fragrances ever created in the history of perfumery. A clean, fresh, citrusy, soapy, and to a certain point aldehydic fragrance. Super versatile, with about 8 hours of good longevity on skin, and up to 10 as a skin scent, even more obvious on clothes. It projects the entire life of the fragrance. Now, the notes: a prominent black tea note that I personally love in perfumes with tea, making it slightly herbal, deep, and full-bodied; it has a citron that for me is a very foamy and sparkling type of citrus. This soapy and clean DNA comes from the neroli, and notes slightly similar to L’Immensité, like the ambroxan, sparkling ginger, and even cinnamon, which make this a spectacular blend. Truly, it’s expensive but very versatile, ideal for warm weather and even for going to the gym or sleeping. Excellent for a signature fragrance, even though it’s already heavily duped; truly, it can’t be missing from my collection. If it runs out, I’ll refill it without hesitation.

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  9. Honestly, along with Pacific Chill, it’s the one I’ve been most eager to try. I always imagined its scent, since everyone says it’s basic and clean, and this changed my mind about summer perfumes. Although it smells like something you’ve surely heard before, it’s the best among soapy perfumes; one of the few LV scents that lasts more than 6 hours on skin. It’s incredible: luxurious and clean without losing that basic base. When I wear it, I only think about how it makes me feel and about trying it again. I’m not sure if I should pay the 300 euros; I’d love to buy dupes to see if they’re worth it, but performance and scent will always be my top 1 in LV.

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  10. It smells good, lasts quite a bit, and it’s gorgeous, but… in my opinion, it’s not worth the price. It smells clean, soapy? That tea note ends up being overwhelming. I don’t know, stop listening to YouTubers saying it’s the panacea because it isn’t. No one will ask you what you’re wearing; more than one person will say your detergent smells so rich, and you’ll look at them thinking: I’m wearing a 200-euro detergent.

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  11. It’s overrated. Quite a common scent; after a few hours, it can remind you of baby powder, which isn’t negative. Personally, I enjoy it because it conveys peace, nonchalance, and relaxation. To my nose, it smells like cucumber + citrus on a base of clean, luxury hotel sheets. I’ve proven that it tends to be liked more by men than by women. I don’t own it, only two 2ml original samples, but I wouldn’t buy it considering price and performance, as there are other fresher, more unique works like Torino 21. Regarding dupes, Marwa works for daily life: fresh, with more ginger than Imagination, at a lower price, and similar longevity. I give it 7 for the peace and cleanliness it conveys, without thinking about the price.

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  12. After trying almost all their dupes, none come close to its heels. It’s a fragrance that gives you a sense of calm when you wear it.

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  13. Fascinating. Although it’s a men’s fragrance, I’ve received compliments when I wear it.

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  14. Martínvenezuela

    I don’t know what the community thinks, but I believe that after 4 hours dry down, Prada L’Homme is very similar to Imagination.

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  15. I tried some dupes and wondered about the hype; it seemed nice to me, but that was it. Oh God, when I finally smelled it in an LV store, it was love at first sight. It has a special touch; the black tea in the original is one of those scents that brightens your day. I don’t know if I should pay 400 dollars, but I’ll have to meditate on it with my pillow. I don’t know the longevity and projection, but in terms of scent, it’s unmatched. No dupe comes close to the joy LV Imagination gives. I prefer it over Méteore by L’Immensité, for which I had higher expectations.

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  16. Sharp, balanced citrus notes with tea and cinnamon. It gives a sense of cleanliness without falling into fabric softener notes. Surprisingly strong projection in the first hours, good longevity.

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  17. Pure citrus magic and clean elegance. Let’s talk about the great Imagination, a true masterpiece. If you’re bored of popular options like Sauvage or Bleu de Chanel and their clones, it’s worth trying. The opening is a delicious citrus explosion: bergamot, orange, and citron peel rinds. Vibrant, it conveys cleanliness and vitality. After a few minutes, it evolves. Although it’s citrusy, in the heart, neroli predominates: refined and bright, better than Tom Ford in my tests. The ginger gives a fresh green touch instead of a strong spicy kick. The cinnamon is almost imperceptible, just to round things off. The dry down is the magic: a green base note, Chinese black tea, a clean base with Ambroxan and guaiac wood. An incredibly clean and effervescent trail. I had little faith after my experience with L’Immensité, but Imagination has conquered me. It’s different from the common stuff, unisex, perfect for summer and any occasion in warm weather. Final note: 9.5/10. For me, it’s pure magic.

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  18. Antonio Tapia

    This is the best fresh, spicy, and citrusy perfume I’ve ever tried. I think those who reviewed it negatively must have smelled it through a sillage filter.

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  19. It’s a very fresh and refined citrus, with a blend of elegantly chosen citrus and woody aromas. Fresh bergamot opening with other citrus and a sparkling touch of ginger; personally, at first, it smells like citronella, although it’s not mentioned. Then woods and spices are perceived. The stated tea adds an even fresher touch. Very unisex and versatile for daily use or special moments (meeting, party). It’s worn all day, not cloying or extremely sweet, it’s fresh, sparkling, slightly ozonic, clean, and much more elaborate because it’s high-end. It’s wonderful, with incredible longevity for a citrus. Summary: longevity 6-8h, projection over 1m, enveloping and lasting trail. Extremely versatile, unisex, and refined. Broad user profile: someone distinguished and stylish. Ideal for heat, but usable in any season. Easy to love and delicious. Reminds of the beach or a party, a joyful moment. Would I buy it again? With my eyes closed, of course.

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  20. Franco Palmisano

    The hype for this perfume felt endless, but honestly, the quality and harmony of the notes are unreal. It’s super expensive, of course, because you’re paying for the brand, the luxury, and above all, the excellence of its craftsmanship. It hurt my wallet, but I don’t regret it for a second. For hot weather, there’s nothing better.

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  21. EddieKenway

    I don’t get the hype for this perfume. It doesn’t smell bad, but it’s not anything special either. I prefer Afternoon Swim, Pacific Chill, or L’Immensite over Imagination.

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  22. L’Imagination by Louis Vuitton is a citrus, aromatic fragrance with a slightly powdery touch.

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  23. xavi40rios

    This perfume disappointed me; it’s way overhyped. It smells like freshly mopped floors with chlorine. I’d categorize it as a cologne from the Parfums de Louis Vuitton line rather than calling this garbage. I’m giving it a solid 3/10.

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  24. I have another tab open on Fragrantica for ‘Gucci Pour Homme II’, which unfortunately is no longer sold. I smelled Imagination and it reminded me of Gucci, not due to direct similarity, but by vibe: both feature that exquisite, pleasant black tea note. If you’ve tried Gucci, you’ll know what I mean. This LV leans more citrusy, while Gucci is greener. The price is relative; if you can afford the LV, go for it. Is it worth it? That’s up to each person. In terms of scent, it smells SUBLIME, very well crafted, with decent performance, clean, elegant, and classy. For me, it’s worth it. Gucci is a masterpiece, and we’ll see how this LV ages. Cheers.

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  25. Javi De Palma

    Louis Vuitton’s Imagination offers a fresh, pleasant aroma with top-quality ingredients. But as happens with most citrus scents, the notes are very volatile and the performance is barely decent. I consider the high price unjustified. Any perfume over €200 should be well above average in performance; taste is subjective, but technical excellence should be unquestionable. Those of us with large collections will find it redundant to invest so much in a generic composition easily replaceable by much cheaper alternatives. In that price range, I demand true excellence.

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  26. It feels clean with very elegant, soft citrus notes. You can tell the ingredients are high quality; I enjoyed it for 45 minutes on my skin, which was all it lasted. There are few fragrances that last for me, but this set a new record.

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  27. beto_ruiz

    Louis Vuitton’s Imagination is a citrus, aromatic fragrance with a slightly talcum touch. The opening smells rich, with citrus and neroli floral accords, almost like a classic cologne. Over time, spicy ginger notes emerge, along with a wood and amber (ambroxan) base that gives it body and an aquatic feel. You can also detect that talcum touch, reminiscent of baby powder, which is pleasant and tender. It’s a totally daytime fragrance, perhaps for late afternoons, but ideal for daily wear, the office, or casual outings because it evokes a sense of well-being. The longevity was good for a citrus, lasting at least 8 hours with decent presence and trail. The only downside is its high retail price; if you catch it on sale, it’s worth it, especially if you like citrus. If you get a chance to try it on skin, don’t pass it up.

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  28. OpiumYSL

    Wow, how boring these Louis Vuitton fragrances are. Seriously, they’re cheap knockoffs of other perfumes. This one is no less a copy of Benetton’s Cold, and yet they cost a fortune… this house is ripping us off!

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