BSI is Best in Show at STRUT
At the event, BSI fielded two teams of four associates. Each team created an award-winning outfit inspired by the overall theme “Decades in Black and White.” With decades ranging from 30BC to 2050AD, participating teams researched their chosen time frame and spent months developing concepts and creating a haute couture gown.
BEST IN SHOW: The top team, made up of four BSI Interior Designers, called themselves “Hotsy Totsy Dames.” Their chosen decade was the roaring 20’s which brought on many extravagant changes in women’s fashion. Working with Industry Collaborator, Anne Grintjes from DL Couch - a wall covering vendor - team Hotsy Totsy Dames created a lavish flapper gown and elaborately stencil cut cape with faux fur collar, constructed entirely of wall covering. The dress itself was draped in fringe, dazzling beads and embellishments all hand made from wall covering. It took home two awards: “Best Craftsmanship” and the top honor of the night, “Best in Show.”
RUNNER UP BEST IN SHOW: BSI’s second award-winning team called themselves “Electric Blue,” named for BSI’s trademark blue and their chosen decade of 1880. “Electric Blue” members came from four different departments at BSI. The team included an Architectural Designer, Lighting Designer, Accounts Payable Administrator, and a Healthcare Project Coordinator. The group worked with Industry Collaborator, Chad Sudderberg from SPI Lighting. Inspiration for the dress derived from the collision of Steampunk and the invention of the light bulb in 1880. Created almost entirely out of lighting fixture parts and materials the dress weighs close to 50 pounds. Electric Blue’s gown included custom metal petals that are used in SPI’s signature light fixture. As their model, Tricia Guy, walked the runway, she stunned the audience when she flipped a hidden switch and her gown lit up. Team Electric Blue was awarded “Best use of Material” and “Runner Up Best in Show.”
The STRUT runway event is hosted by the Wisconsin Chapters of IIDA (International Interior Design Association) and ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). Proceeds raised are donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Wisconsin. Each of the 18 teams who submitted an original fashion design, were judged by four professionals including Bjorn Nasett, Fashion Style Expert; Kim Dunisch, Fashion Faculty at the Art Institute of Wisconsin; Pamela Rehberg, Professor at UW Milwaukee Costume Design & Production; Kevin
Huddleston, Executive Director at Ronald McDonald House Charities; and Sandy Zygarlicke, House Director at Ronald McDonald House Charities.
BSI designs, builds and furnishes interiors for business. BSI has participated in the STRUT event three out of the four years in which it has been held. BSI teams won Best in Show in each year that it participated: 2011, 2012, and now 2014. BSI’s 2014 “Best in Show” design is now prominently displayed in BSI’s new Design Center at the Corporate Office. To schedule a tour of BSI’s award-winning Design Center and award-winning STRUT gown, call 262.955.6400 or visit our website www.buildingservice.com
“I am so proud of both of our BSI Strut teams,” said Peter Kordus, President/COO of BSI. “Both teams have proven that the level of talent and creativity of our associates is exceptional and I’m thrilled that it is once again recognized.”