The story behind the Supreme Court of Canada’s new ceremonial robes

Les Rabat-Joies are deeply honored to have crafted the new ceremonial robes for the judges of the Supreme Court of Canada — a year-long project blending tradition, excellence, and bold creativity. This project is a reminder that anything is possible when you dare to dream big. 

Our audacity, originality, and expertise have made us far more than a simple supplier — we became a trusted partner. Through this collaboration, we merged creativity and heritage to bring to life a project that now stands as part of history.

From Thread to Today : A Chronology

September 2024 – On the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the Barreau du Québec, the annual Rentrée judiciaire was celebrated with a gala co-organized with the Barreau de Québec at Château Frontenac. Les Rabat-Joies were on site to welcome guests — a moment that marked the first encounter between the Supreme Court of Canada and our team.

November 2024 – For its 150th anniversary, the Supreme Court of Canada wished to commemorate the milestone by creating a new ceremonial robe, replacing the iconic red robe worn since its inception. One Friday evening, Les Rabat-Joies received an unexpected invitation — to meet with the Supreme Court to discuss this extraordinary project.

January–March 2025 – Once the contract was signed, the work began: technical drawings, sourcing materials, and collaborating closely with the Court to bring their vision to life. With sketches approved, excitement and pride filled the workshop — the team fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

April–May 2025 – The first materials arrived, and testing began. The noble yet delicate silk demanded new assembly techniques. The fitting sessions in Ottawa went perfectly — the judges were approachable, gracious, and inspiring. The team’s motto became clear: perfection only.

June–September 2025 – The true craftsmanship began: pattern drafting, cutting, embroidery preparation, collaboration with Hélène Broderie in Jonquière, cleaning, trimming, assembly, and final touches. Over 40 hours of work per robe. More than 2,500 hand-embroidered details. Every stitch, an act of precision and artistry.

Mid-September – Excitement was high for our head technical designer as the judges tried on their robes in Ottawa. Success. Aside from a few minor adjustments, everything fit flawlessly. Romane, the founder, and Myriam, our head technician, returned home proud.

October 6 – The new ceremonial robe was unveiled during the official Rentrée judiciaire marking the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada — the first redesign since the mid-1980s. Chief justice Richard Wagner said the new robes "have a modern and simple design that echoes our commitment to openness and accessibility in a way that is distinctly Canadian." For Romane, being present at this unveiling was witnessing a dream come true — a moment celebrating human connection, creativity, and excellence.

And as if that weren’t enough – Myriam crafted a tenth miniature robe to commemorate this milestone: a tiny version for Abraham, Romane’s 7-month-old son. She also gifted each of the five women judges a handcrafted tab — embroidered and beaded with red stones. Myriam, if you didn’t exist, we’d have to invent you.

Spotlight on Craftsmanship

Silk as the foundation Each robe is one of a kind, crafted from fine silk imported from Korea. Its refined texture makes it a challenging material to work with, requiring exceptional skill and precision. Above all, it offers unparalleled comfort — one of the client’s top priorities. .
	Thousands of handcrafted embroideries The Cormier emblem, created by architect Ernest Cormier, was hand-embroidered over 2,500 times in Saguenay, totaling nearly 150 hours of work. It symbolizes the Court and its authority, featuring the intertwined letters “C” and “S” and the laurel — a timeless emblem of justice.
Symbols and details The large diamond and central mosaic represent the nine judges and the central role of the Supreme Court of Canadaas the nation’s highest judicial authority. The Cormier emblem appears once again within this intricate design. The front panel of the robe stands as its signature element — the ultimate achievement of merging silk embroidery with impeccable craftsmanship..
	Custom buttons Elegant ornaments conceived by our design team, produced in zinc alloy molded with the Cormier emblem and meticulously finished here in Saguenay.
The artist behind the masterpiece A project of this magnitude is, of course, the result of teamwork. Yet the true creative force who spent hundreds of hours cutting fabric, analyzing details, and assembling each robe is our head technician, Myriam. We proudly tip our hats to her — the mastermind behind this remarkable achievement.

 

About the Supreme Court of Canada

	Composed of nine judges, the Supreme Court of Canada is the country’s highest judicial authority. It ensures the protection of constitutional rights and serves as the final arbiter of justice in Canada.
	Wich robe was replaced ? The red robe was the ceremonial attire traditionally worn by the judges of the Supreme Court of Canada. Inherited from British tradition, it symbolized authority, solemnity, and judicial continuity. This iconic robe was replaced as part of the Supreme Court of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

 

Photo Gallery

Acknowledgements
A heartfelt thank you to our regional collaborators: photographer Patrick Simard, Broderie Helene, and Art Soudure Decoration CB, for their exceptional expertise.

Press release
Making History alongside the Supreme Court of Canada : Les Rabat-Joies, creators of the new ceremonial robes

Presse review
CBC - Chief justice says rule of law, judicial independence protect Canada from autocracy

The Globle and mail - Supreme Court to Canada justices swap iconic red robes for new 'modern and simple' look

CTV NEW - Supreme Court judges ditch red 'Santa robes' for new 'modern and simple design'

La Presse - 150e anniversaire de la Cour suprême | Fini la fourrure !

ICI Radio-Canada - La garde-robe de la Cour suprême redessinée par une entreprise régionale

Reference
https://www.scc-csc.ca/fr/about-apropos/judges-juges/meet-rencontrez/

Interested in our other projects? To see the full list, visit the Major Clients & Partners page.