Romaine LeGallou was informed that the Supreme Court of Canada was celebrating its 150th anniversary and required a wardrobe refresh. What followed was a whirlwind of events.
After expressing interest, LeGallou’s company, Les Rabat-Joies based in Saguenay, Que., was selected to provide bespoke court attire for lawyers and judges. Despite the time pressure, with the project starting just four weeks before LeGallou’s first childbirth, the team embraced the challenge.
Following strict dress codes for Canadian lawyers and judges, which includes black robes and white tabs, Les Rabat-Joies aimed to add a touch of personalization while respecting tradition. Offering a variety of tab models and custom lining options for robes, the company sought to bring a unique and fun element to court attire.
The team at Les Rabat-Joies, led by CEO LeGallou and technical lead Myriam Herrera, dedicated themselves to creating custom attire for all nine Supreme Court justices. The meticulous process involved sourcing materials from Korea, embroidering the Cormier emblem onto the fabric, and handcrafting buttons with the emblem.
The newly designed ceremonial robes were unveiled at the opening of the Supreme Court season in Ottawa and received praise for their modern yet dignified appearance. The move to modernize the court attire was seen as a positive step by Chief Justice Richard Wagner, signaling a shift towards openness and accessibility.
While the success of the Supreme Court project has brought increased attention and business opportunities for Les Rabat-Joies, the company faces a challenge in retaining its team. Changes in immigration rules have created uncertainty for the temporary foreign workers employed by the company, threatening their ability to stay in Canada.
LeGallou is actively engaging with authorities to find a solution that would allow her employees to remain in the country and continue contributing to the business. Despite the hurdles, her vision is to expand the reach of Les Rabat-Joies’ creations across Canada while staying rooted in Saguenay.
The journey of creating the Supreme Court attire has not only elevated the company’s profile but also underscored the importance of supporting and retaining the dedicated team behind the successful project.