Short answer: Starlight is D&E Fragrances' Extrait de Parfum take on Louis Vuitton City of Stars. It costs from £14.99 (5ml sample) up to £44.95 (50ml), against £265 for 100ml of the original on the Louis Vuitton UK site. Shop Starlight →
- Smells like: sparkling blood orange and lemon settling into a soft, powdery musk.
- Best for: anyone who wants a bright, glamorous citrus that still feels warm on the skin.
- Honest note: inspired by, not an exact clone.
City of Stars is Louis Vuitton's ode to Los Angeles by night, composed by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. It is one of the House's best-known citrus fragrances, and it costs £265 for a 100ml bottle on the UK site. For a scent that is essentially about brightness and glamour, that is a hefty price of entry.
What does Louis Vuitton City of Stars actually smell like?
Louis Vuitton describe a citrus duo that "dazzles like a thousand flashbulbs", with lemon and blood orange swirling before giving way to a voluptuous tiare flower. The drydown is warmed by sandalwood and a powdery musk. In note terms:
- Top: Lemon, Blood Orange
- Heart: Tiare flower accord
- Base: Sandalwood, powdery Musk
Think zesty and juicy at first, then a creamy, slightly tropical white floral, finishing soft and skin-like. It is a citrus that feels dressed up rather than sporty, which is what makes it stand out.
Why people look for a Louis Vuitton City of Stars dupe
Price and access are the big two. At £265, City of Stars is a lot to spend on a citrus, and citrus scents can feel fleeting on some skin, so people understandably want to test before committing. The original is sold on the Louis Vuitton site and in selected stores only. A 5ml sample at £14.99 lets you try a similar style for a few days, while a 50ml at £44.95 is a fraction of the cost of the original.
Louis Vuitton City of Stars vs Starlight at a glance
| Louis Vuitton City of Stars | D&E Starlight | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £265 for 100ml | £14.99 (5ml) to £44.95 (50ml) |
| Concentration | Perfume (Louis Vuitton Perfumes of the World) | Extrait de Parfum |
| Style | Sparkling citrus, tiare, powdery musk | Blood orange, lime, lemon and musk |
| Sizes | 100ml and 200ml | 5ml sample, 12ml roller, 15ml, 30ml, 50ml |
Introducing Starlight - Insp by Louis Vuitton City of Stars
Starlight is a citrus-and-musk scent built on blood orange, lime and lemon over a soft musky base. It is hand-blended in the UK as an Extrait de Parfum, meaning a higher concentration of fragrance oils than a standard eau de parfum, which usually helps a scent last longer and sit closer to the skin. Prices start at £14.99 for the 5ml sample, with a 12ml roller and 15ml at £19.99, 30ml at £34.99 and 50ml at £44.95. It is vegan and cruelty-free. Try Starlight from £14.99 →
Being upfront about the comparison
Starlight is inspired by City of Stars, not an exact clone or replica. It is its own original composition that shares the same bright citrus and musk character. You may notice differences in the floral heart, the sweetness of the orange and how the musk develops, because every house uses different materials. If you want the exact Louis Vuitton bottle and experience, only the original will do. If you love the style, Starlight is an easy and affordable way to enjoy it.
Longevity and projection
Citrus openings are naturally lively and fade first, but the Extrait concentration and musky base help Starlight settle into a softer skin scent that lasts for hours. Expect a bright, noticeable start and a gentler, closer trail later. Longevity varies with skin type, climate and how much you apply, so a 5ml sample is a sensible way to test it on you.
The verdict
If Louis Vuitton City of Stars appeals but £265 does not, Starlight gives you the blood orange, lemon and musk character for a small fraction of the price, with sizes that make trying it low-risk. Not a clone, but a bright, glamorous citrus in the same spirit. Shop Starlight →
Looking at other Louis Vuitton scents? See our Louis Vuitton Moon Tale dupe guide or the Ink Mark dupe guide.
Follow us on TikTok for scent reviews and comparisons: @defragrances26
Louis Vuitton, City of Stars and all other designer and fragrance names are trademarks of their respective owners. D&E Fragrances is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Starlight is D&E's own original composition, inspired by the fragrance family.