Saguenay Shop Designs New Robes for Canada’s Supreme Court

A small shop in Saguenay, Quebec, has secured a significant contract to create new ceremonial robes for the Supreme Court of Canada, marking a milestone as the court celebrates its 150th anniversary. Romane LeGallou, CEO of Les Rabat-Joies, expressed her excitement after learning about the Supreme Court’s need for a wardrobe update. The rapid progression from expressing interest to winning the contract came as a surprise, especially as it coincided with LeGallou’s impending motherhood.

LeGallou’s company specializes in bespoke court attire for legal professionals, and the opportunity to design for Canada’s highest court came with its own set of protocols. Determined to infuse a fresh perspective into the traditional garments, LeGallou and her team dedicated countless hours to ensure they met this once-in-a-lifetime challenge. “It was such pressure for the team. It happened four weeks before I gave birth for the first time!” she recalled, laughing at the irony of timing.

Revamping Tradition

In Canada, strict regulations dictate the attire of lawyers and judges, with black robes and white tabs being standard. However, Les Rabat-Joies aims to personalize legal garments while respecting these traditions. Clients have the option to choose from various tab designs, including lace, rainbow stitching, and decorative pearls. The interior of standard robes can feature playful prints, ranging from St. Bernards to zebra stripes, creating an unexpected twist on formal attire.

Stéphanie Gobeil, assistant director of Les Rabat-Joies, emphasized the company’s mission to provide clients with unique court wardrobes. “We want our clients to know that if they come to us, they’re going to have a court wardrobe that rocks, that’s different from what they’ll find anywhere else,” she stated. Traditionally, jurists in Canada have relied on larger companies for their legal attire, but Les Rabat-Joies is carving out a niche with its bespoke offerings.

During the warmer months, the team focused on creating signature robes for each of the nine Supreme Court justices. Myriam Herrera, the technical lead, brings extensive experience in fashion design, having worked as a dressmaker since she was 14 years old. She joined the company in 2024, six years after moving to Saguenay, where two other employees were also recruited from Latin America.

The design process involved a visit to Ottawa, where LeGallou and Herrera met with the justices to take measurements and discuss their vision for the new robes. They sourced high-quality black silk from Korea and embroidered the Cormier emblem, symbolizing the Supreme Court of Canada, into the fabric 2,500 times. Each robe required approximately 40 hours of meticulous craftsmanship.

LeGallou described her team’s dedication with a simple phrase: “Perfection, nothing less.”

A Historic Unveiling

The finished robes were delivered to Ottawa last September and garnered positive feedback from the justices. They were publicly unveiled during the opening of the Supreme Court season on October 6, 2023. Chief Justice Richard Wagner remarked that the new robes maintained the dignity and authority of the judicial role while reflecting a modern, accessible design that resonates with Canadian values.

LeGallou sees this modernization as a signal for other courts across Canada to consider updates to their own attire. The unveiling was also a personal celebration for Herrera, who marked her birthday just as the new robes were revealed. LeGallou opened a bottle of champagne to commemorate both the project and Herrera’s journey since arriving in Canada.

Amid the excitement, Herrera surprised LeGallou with a tiny replica of the justices’ robes, custom-made for LeGallou’s nine-month-old son, Abraham. “I can’t express how touched I was by this gesture,” LeGallou said, reflecting on the deep emotional connections formed throughout this project.

The success of the Supreme Court’s new wardrobe has also led to increased business for Les Rabat-Joies. However, LeGallou faces challenges in retaining her talented team. Although Herrera has settled in Quebec, the future for two employees on temporary work permits remains uncertain due to recent changes in immigration policies.

LeGallou is actively seeking solutions to ensure that her staff can remain in Canada and continue contributing to the company. “When I hired them, I was sure I could keep them,” she said. “Not just for two years.”

The stakes are high, not just for the business but for the people involved. As orders continue to increase from various regions, LeGallou remains committed to maintaining operations in Saguenay while expanding her reach across Canada.