Bloomingdale's Kalman Ruttenstein, senior vice president of fashion direction died on December 8th in New York City of complications from cancer. The ever-savvy Mr. Ruttenstein was a colorful major figure in international fashion, a trendspotter, tastemaker and a regular in the front rows of every major fashion season. Mr. Ruttenstein, known as Kal, was responsible for the image of Bloomingdale's, and was involved during the beginning stages in the careers of designers such as Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan. Mr. Ruttenstein was known for working directly with major designers to create exclusives for Bloomingdale's. Mr. Ruttenstein was a part of every fashion show I have attended, and crowds would part to make way for him as he was shown to his front row seat. He was a larger than life character who will be greatly missed by the international fashion world.