Romaine LeGallou, CEO of Les Rabat-Joies, a boutique in Saguenay, Quebec, specializing in custom legal apparel, took on the challenge of outfitting the Supreme Court of Canada for its 150th anniversary. Despite the tight timeline, with the project starting just four weeks before LeGallou’s first child was born, the team at Les Rabat-Joies rose to the occasion.
The traditional black robes and white tabs required by Canadian courts were personalized by Les Rabat-Joies with unique touches, such as colorful tabs and printed linings featuring various designs like St. Bernards or zebra stripes. The company’s name, Les Rabat-Joies, plays on the French term for tabs as well as the idea of bringing joy and individuality to legal attire.
The team, led by CEO LeGallou and technical lead Myriam Herrera, went above and beyond to create bespoke robes for each of the nine Supreme Court justices. Using black silk from Korea and meticulously embroidering the court’s emblem 2,500 times onto the fabric, the team dedicated 40 hours to crafting each robe with a commitment to perfection.
The unveiling of the new robes at the Supreme Court’s season opening was met with praise from Chief Justice Richard Wagner for its modern yet dignified design. The success of this project has brought increased attention to Les Rabat-Joies, leading to a surge in business. However, challenges remain as the company faces immigration obstacles that threaten the future of two crucial team members.
Despite the hurdles, LeGallou is determined to fight for her employees’ right to stay in Canada and continue producing unique legal attire from Saguenay to serve clients across the country. The vision is to maintain the team’s unity and expand their reach, delivering exceptional court attire that stands out while upholding tradition.