This season’s collection was all about tapping into the magic of childhood. “I wanted to capture that sense of ‘wow,’ the wonder you feel as a kid trying something on for the first time,” Blazy explained. He likened it to a sort of primal introduction to fashion—those moments of raiding your parents’ wardrobe and discovering oversized jackets or mismatched items. The runway reflected this playful spirit, with oversized jackets, asymmetrical wrap skirts, and quirky pieces like a crinkled black tank dress or shirtdresses in khaki and navy that looked like they’d been scrunched up at the bottom of a toy chest, just waiting for a dress-up session.

The whimsical vibe didn’t stop there. Blazy drew inspiration from the movie *E.T.*, specifically that iconic scene where Elliott’s mom opens the closet, completely oblivious to the alien hiding among the stuffed animals. This childlike playfulness carried through the collection, with frogs nestled at the necklines of dresses, bunny-shaped lapels on leather coats, and a scarf top adorned with giant fish. It was fun and irreverent, a bit risky for a luxury label like Bottega Veneta, where the price tags tend to demand serious consideration.

But Blazy was betting that people would share his playful spirit—and it paid off. At a time when so many brands are playing it safe or stuck in a rut, his designs felt liberating. From the emphasis on craft (did anyone else catch the spiky leather wigs?) to the cheeky reinterpretation of *E.T.*’s flannel shirt and jeans—though, knowing Blazy, those were likely neither flannel nor denim—it all felt fresh. Even the embellishments, like metal matchsticks decorating a top and skirt, had a why-not attitude that worked.

Of course, there were also those effortlessly chic pieces, like the vivid orange draped jersey dress and the sleek, icy white fringed coat with ¾-length sleeves. And let’s not forget the bags—especially the one-of-a-kind designs made from leather tests by students at Bottega Veneta’s school. Blazy’s excitement was palpable, and contagious. The collection reignited that spark of wonder and curiosity that draws so many of us to fashion in the first place. “Wow” sums it up perfectly.