Originality, inspiration and the value of a creation
In recent years, the conversation around perfumery changed completely. What used to be a quieter, more reserved universe now lives on TikTok, Reddit and thousands of videos promising to "smell just like" iconic perfumes for a fraction of the price.
And in the middle of that conversation, a category emerged that became impossible to ignore: the now well-known "Arabic Perfumes".
But here it's important to pause.
Because when we talk about Arabic perfumes on social media, we're not referring to traditional Middle Eastern perfumery — rich in oud, resins, roses and ancestral rituals — but to contemporary brands that went viral for recreating famous designer and niche perfumes.
Fragrances inspired by best-sellers like Aventus, Layton, Baccarat Rouge 540 or Naxos. Perfumes that promise "the same scent", more intensity and an almost endless lasting power.
And although the phenomenon is fascinating, it also raises important questions about creativity, authenticity and the way we understand luxury in perfumery today.
Why did they become so popular?
The answer is simple: accessibility.
Many of these brands offer perfumes inspired by extremely coveted fragrances, but at much lower prices. And for a great many people, that became a gateway into the world of perfume.
Because not everyone can, or wants to, invest right away in a niche fragrance. And discovering certain olfactory profiles through more accessible alternatives can spark curiosity, olfactory education and even a future passion for perfumery.
In that sense, democratizing access to perfume isn't a bad thing.
The problem begins when inspiration turns into copying.
Inspiration or imitation?
Perfumery has always lived on references, reinterpretations and trends. But many of these contemporary brands build practically their entire identity around recreating perfumes that already exist.
And that's where an important ethical conversation appears.
Behind every original perfume lie years of development, perfumers, raw materials, trials, creative direction and a complete artistic vision. Houses that dedicate time and resources to creating something new.
However, perfume formulas don't have any truly solid universal protection at an international level. That means many compositions can be legally imitated as long as the name, design or certain registered elements of the brand aren't directly copied.
And although this doesn't always break the law, for many people it does raise a deeper question:
What value do we place on creativity?
The myth of "identical"
One of the most common claims on social media is that certain Arabic perfumes "smell exactly like" famous fragrances.
But those who know the world of perfume deeply tend to agree on one thing: no dupe is 100% identical to the original.
Sometimes there's an obvious resemblance in the opening. Or a general "air" of similarity. But as the perfume evolves on the skin, important differences start to appear.
In communities like Reddit and specialized forums, many people comment that some dupes inspired by Aventus, Layton or Naxos start out close to the original, but then take different paths: denser bases, patchouli far more present, darker woods, excessive sweetness or oriental accords that completely transform the experience.
And that makes sense.
Because a perfume isn't just a list of notes. It's also balance, construction, evolution and texture.
Two fragrances can share similar ingredients and still feel completely different.
Does stronger mean better?
Perhaps one of the biggest arguments in favour of these perfumes is their performance.
Many claim they project more, last much longer and have a more intense presence than the originals. And in some cases, that may be true.
But here's something important we often forget: longevity isn't the only thing that defines a perfume's quality. In fact, there's enormous beauty in the fleeting.
A perfume is also an emotional experience designed by a perfumer. Its evolution, its intensity and even its fading away are part of the narrative it's trying to convey.
Not every scent is meant to fill a room for twelve hours.
Citrus, green or aquatic notes, for example, are naturally more volatile and delicate. That lightness is part of their charm. Trying to make a fresh bergamot last forever on the skin often requires unnatural fixatives that end up altering the original composition.
And that's where another important difference appears: intensity doesn't always mean sophistication.
Sometimes, the most memorable perfumes are precisely the ones that feel close, intimate and almost fleeting.
Beyond resemblance
In a world where everything seems to seek faster, more intense and more accessible versions, it's worth remembering something important: behind a great perfume there is a creative vision.
There's immense value in getting to know the original creations. In understanding the intention behind a perfume. In discovering how a composition truly evolves as its creator conceived it. In experiencing the quality of certain raw materials and the balance that makes a fragrance feel alive.
Because an original perfume isn't just trying to smell good or last longer on the skin. It's trying to convey something.
It's about emotion. About identity. About art.