Bloomie's Broadway Connection Kalman Ruttenstein Dead at 69

Bloomingdale's Fashion Director Kalman Ruttenstein, who brought Broadway shows to the chain's flagship Manhattan store, died December 8. The cause was complications of lymphoma, according to The New York Times. Ruttenstein was 69.

"Kal brought the spirit of Broadway to Bloomingdale's," Bloomingdale's Chairman and CEO Michael Gould told Broadway.com. "He envisioned the store as a stage to showcase the talent of the season and the fashion that was influenced by the magic of live theatre."

Famous as a man who worked well with both designers and consumers, Ruttenstein worked at Bloomingdale's for 28 years. He was known in the theater community for being the man behind the store's special musical boutiques. In the boutiques, he paired music from a show with fashion inspired by the design of that show. Tuners honored in such a way include The Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray, Saturday Night Fever and Rent.

Ruttenstein left no immediate survivors.