A Saguenay women-led company has helped stitch a new chapter in Canadian legal history.
For the first time in 150 years, the Supreme Court of Canada has unveiled redesigned ceremonial robes. And the work comes from Les Rabat-Joies, a small but nationally reaching brand led by entrepreneur Romane Le Gallou.
The project marks a remarkable milestone for a company that began almost accidentally, as a law-school favour for a friend.
From school project to national recognition
Le Gallou said the business traces back to a single request during her time in law school, when her best friend wanted something special to wear on the day she was sworn in as a lawyer.
“She wanted to wear something special, a little something different, that everybody was wearing the same white tab,” Le Gallou said.
Le Gallou explained that the tab — a traditionally plain, white piece of legal attire — had barely changed in centuries. Together with her friend’s grandmother, they designed a more personal version.
When other new lawyers saw it, they wanted their own.
“We decided that we would start a Facebook page, and we would send them online to our friends who were new lawyers in Quebec,” she recalled.
Romane Le Gallou, the founder of Les Rabat-Joies. (Courtesy: Les Rabat-Joies)
That simple gesture eventually grew into Les Rabat-Joies, a brand she describes as distinct in the very small Canadian market for court attire.
“Les Rabat-Joies is a brand specialized in court attire. Everything is handmade in Saguenay, and we ship across Canada,” she said. “We created the first online boutique, the first website where you could order a tab online.”
A chance encounter in 2024
The path to the Supreme Court began unexpectedly at a major Barreau du Québec anniversary event in Quebec City in September 2024, where Le Gallou was participating as a sponsor. Two Supreme Court justices were also in attendance.
“We met there and they were like, ‘wow, your brand is very different than the traditional robe maker in Canada,’” she said. One of the justices was already a customer.
At the time, it seemed nothing more than a friendly exchange. But weeks later, an email arrived from the registrar of the Supreme Court.
“I didn’t have any clue,” she said. “But at that meeting, they were like, they have a special project, and they would like to know if you are willing to take the challenge.”
Le Gallou thought the court might need minor alterations or shirts. Instead, the justices proposed a full redesign of a garment that had remained untouched for generations.
“When they told me about that, I was like, ‘oh my God, it’s going to be huge,’” she said. “We cannot miss anything.”
A compressed timeline and a crucial collaborator
The contract was signed in January, leaving only months to design, test and tailor garments with national significance. Adding to the pressure, Le Gallou gave birth to her child in early February.
“It was such a crunchy time,” she said.
Her lead seamstress, Myriam Herrera, played a central role in the work. Herrera, who came to Quebec from Nicaragua and has been working with Le Gallou for almost six years, has become a trusted collaborator.
“I was like, ‘Miriam, I need you to take care of this project… you are the artist of this project,’” Le Gallou recounted.
Herrera accompanied her to the Supreme Court in April for measurements, then again for fittings in September — a crucial moment in the process.
Myriam Herrera, lead seamstress at Les Rabat-Joies. (Courtesy: Les Rabat-Joies)
Honouring tradition, Canadian identity
The old robes — bright red with bands of white fur — were known as heavy, hot and reminiscent of “Santa suits,” according to Le Gallou.
The new design intentionally breaks from that past.
“We just got rid of the red and the fur as well,” she said. “We worked with black silk, which is very light and very noble.”
The robes feature red silk piping inspired by the Canadian flag, and thousands of embroidered elements taken from the court’s heraldic emblem.
“We make 2,500 embroideries from the logo. And in the front, you have more specialized embroideries with a very specific flag. And it’s very unique. It’s amazing when you see them from close,” she said.
The newly redesigned Supreme Court of Canada ceremonial robe, crafted by Saguenay-based Les Rabat-Joies, featuring black silk, red piping, and intricate embroidery. (Courtesy: Facebook/Les Rabat-Joies)
The garments also include custom black metal buttons engraved with the Supreme Court’s logo, understated details that Le Gallou said reflect what the justices requested.
“They asked us to make something very refined, but very not flashy at all,” she said.
The newly redesigned Supreme Court of Canada ceremonial robe, crafted by Saguenay-based Les Rabat-Joies, featuring black silk, red piping, and intricate embroidery. (Courtesy: Facebook/Les Rabat-Joies)
Fittings, pressure and pride
The September fittings were the team’s most stressful day.
“We only had two weeks if we had to make some changes. We don’t have another chance,” she said. “It was like 10 out of 10.”
Shortly after, the chief Justice emailed her directly, inviting her to attend the judicial opening in October, where the robes would be worn for the first time.
“For me, it was the supreme way of telling me they are happy with that,” she said.
The newly redesigned Supreme Court of Canada ceremonial robe, crafted by Saguenay-based Les Rabat-Joies, featuring black silk, red piping, and intricate embroidery. (Courtesy: Facebook/Les Rabat-Joies)
At the event, Le Gallou said she was conscious not only of public reaction but of how much the project meant to her team.
“We did it. It was hard. It was stressful. And we didn’t have another chance. But yeah, it was a very huge milestone. And I’m very pleased to see what will come after that.”
Later, one justice approached her during the reception — a moment she described as deeply meaningful.
“It was a mark of respect and of recognition,” she said.
Looking ahead — and beyond Quebec
With the robes now part of the Supreme Court’s history, Le Gallou says her focus is on continuing to serve legal professionals across Canada, while preserving the craftsmanship behind court attire.
“My goal is to offer the whole Canadian legal community the possibility to shop online, and to feel good when we go to court,” she said.
The newly redesigned Supreme Court of Canada ceremonial robes, crafted by Saguenay-based Les Rabat-Joies, featuring black silk, red piping, and intricate embroidery. (Courtesy: Facebook/Les Rabat-Joies)
She hopes to keep all production in Saguenay, despite a nationwide shortage of young seamstresses.
“When you make a robe, it’s like 15 to 20 hours. They are artists,” she said.
“It’s very important for me that we keep this expertise, this niche expertise.”
And she wants lawyers and judges across the country to know the distance is no barrier.
“It’s not because we are in Quebec that we cannot address the lawyers and justices from other provinces,” she said. “Everything is possible and we are very ready to receive customers from across Canada.”
