James LeBrecht, co-director of Oscar nominated documentary, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution wowed on the red carpet at this year's Academy Awards. Instead of wearing a usual black tux, he wore a custom-made navy-blue Gucci ensemble with a black and ivory flower print shift.
While it is expected for Oscar nominees to walk the red carpet in a custom suit, this is unique for LeBrecht. Not only was Crip Camp: A disability Revolution made on a small budget leaving little room for expensive red-carpet looks, but LeBrecht also has spina bifida and is reliant on a wheelchair to get around.
LeBrecht spoke to Variety about how the snazzy suit came about. A colleague said: "you know, Jim, if we could find a fashion house that wants to dress you, it's a real important statement." LeBrecht then met with Gucci to see what they could come up with and tonight's fierce suit is the result.
Expanding on the significance of someone with a disability wearing a custom high-fashion fit on a red carpet, LeBrecht told Datebook: "it tells them that the doors are open, that it is not out of the realm of possibility that anyone with a disability could be on the red carpet in a wheelchair with a walker, with their guide dog.
