Ode to Isobel Stanley and Hayley Wickenheiser

These felted dresses were made for historical figures and their imaginary engagement in the athleticism of hockey. These are from the Madeleines; a series of twelve sculptural, felted dresses representing Canadian hockey, rugby, fencing, boxing and croquet. The dresses are made from hand felted wool and silk (about ten metres each).  To solidify the felt and make it more amour-like Werth integrated brassieres and lace. The hockey dresses contain hockey equipment.

Lady Isobel Stanley was the first woman to be photographed playing hockey in 1890. She was the daughter of Canada's Governor General Lord Stanley, who donated the Stanley Cup. Hayley Wickenheiser was the first woman to make a point in men's hockey. She played forward on the Canadian Gold Olympic Hockey team in Salt Lake City, 2002. The initial inspiration for these dresses was the leather hockey pads and goalie gloves found in a second hand store. Werth imagined two players dressed in historical dress, lifting up their padded skirts and stepping out on the ice to participate in the game. The colour and style of the dresses was determined by the structure, patina and armour-like construction of the equipment.