The buying world in fashion has lost one of its driving forces on Tuesday. Kal Ruttenstein buyer and Senior VP at Bloomingdales passed away earlier this week after battling cancer. Kal is most certainly one of the most strong presence buyer in the industry. For almost 30 years his driven Bloomingdale's through its good times and bad. Joining the company in 1977, he ushered the retailer into high fashion in the early 80's. Befriending numerous icons of the fashion world along the way. From Diane Von Furstenberg, the late Perry Ellis and Halston and was instrumental of launching such designers as Anna Sui and the late Stephn Sprous. He will be missed dearly, and the runway will always have one seat not filled correctly.

Ruttenstein has requested that donations be made to DIFFA, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, and the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, INC.