“I think Lowly Worm’s outfit is exceptional” – A new Bottega Veneta collection captures the joy and creativity of Richard Scarry

For the spring 2025, Bottega Veneta‘S Matthieu Blazy was inspired by childlike wonder. “As a child, there is the adventure of the everyday. There is a sense that anything can happen, no matter how fantastic, and we are not so bound by mainstream expectations and conventions,” he said in the press release about the collection. “The door is open to the possibility of strange realities and miracles, impossible scenarios that banish disillusionment. This is about the power of sincerity over strategy.”

On the catwalk, his vision was most evident in the pair of teenage-looking models wearing oversized suits as if they were rummaging through their parents’ clothes and trying to put the suits on to pose in front of the mirror. The next day, when the editors went to the label’s headquarters to get up close and personal with the collection (known as a re-see), they saw how much Blazy was thinking about “the adventure of the everyday”; they were greeted by a giant copy of Richard Scarry Largest dictionary everfeaturing Lowly Worm on the front on an all-red background, completely remade in the house’s signature intracciato leather. It caused a small stir on Instagram: who didn’t spend hours as a child reading his Richard Scarry books over and over again and imagining what it would be like to drive an apple? It was the ultimate desirable art object, appealing to both an adult sense of extravagant luxury and childhood nostalgia. “Like many people, Richard Scarry’s books were beloved companions in my youth—and as an adult I still regard them as exceptional acts of storytelling and imagination,” Blazy shared in an email. “This entire world and the characters he has sketched on the page are so universal in their appeal: almost anyone who picks up a book by Richard Scarry can’t help but smile. There is something pure and hopeful in that.”

The book is also available in a sketchbook version with blank pages.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

A small apple bag.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

The Intrecciato dust bag.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

The Zip Around Wallet.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

Now the book is finally available for purchase, along with a small capsule collection of items inspired by the beloved British author’s work. They include a striped Intrecciato dust bag, a belt with an apple-shaped buckle, striped wallets in different sizes and a card holder. To celebrate the release of the collection, Bottega Veneta held an event at their so-called New York Residence, a special space on the 5th floor of the maison’s Madison Avenue boutique, hosted by Olympia Scarry, artist and granddaughter of Richard. “I thought it was a great idea because it’s really true to the book itself,” Olympia added during a video call. “I remember at school protecting my books and notebooks with a cover, and that’s the same in a way, but with an extra touch.” She had known Blazy for a while, and when she found out that Blazy was a fan of Lowly Worm, she asked her father Huck, who often helped Richard with the illustration as a teenager, and later became an author and illustrator himself: for a small to make a drawing of Lowly in the form of Blazy’s initials. “It was kind of a personal touch, and that’s how the conversation (for the collaboration) started,” she added.

During the event, children and their fashionable parents enjoyed reading Richard Scarry’s ‘The Night Before the Night Before Christmas’ by artist Camile Henrot, were served chicken nuggets and apple juice in glass milk bottles with striped paper straws, and drew and coloured. lessons with Faber and Castell colored pencils on Bottega Veneta brand notepads. Although the evening’s action at times seemed to threaten the adult furnishings in the room, such as the freshly painted white walls or the furniture with beautiful cream-colored bouclé upholstery, crises were averted thanks to an attentive mother who suggested keeping Sharpies out of the reach of young children. keep. . Guests could also see some of Richard Scarry’s original drawings.

Appropriately enough, Blazy’s favorite Richard Scarry character is Lowly Worm. “His outfit is exceptional: one shoe, the Tyrolean hat, the red bow tie, the blue-green body tube and an apple for a car! It’s just brilliant and joyful.”

Richard Scarry’s original drawings were on display at the event at the Madison Avenue store.

Photo: Daniel Salemi

Olympia Scarry, Hope Atherton and Elisabeth Thurn and Taxis.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

Photo: Daniel Salemi

Nick Brown and Derek Blasberg.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

Camille Henrot reads to the audience.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

The color spread.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

Up-and-coming artists at work.

Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta

Photo: Daniel Salemi