Stephen L. Ruzow will step down as president of Kellwood Co.’s Calvin Klein women’s sportswear division, effective Sept. 21.
The news follows Kellwood’s announcement Thursday about the restructuring of its women’s division and the exit of Paul Robb, chief executive officer of Kellwood’s Lifestyle Design Group, both of which raised speculation Ruzow was under pressure in his position.
Ruzow said it was his decision to step down, and that he was pleased with where Kellwood’s better and bridge Calvin Klein women’s sportswear lines were.
“This was always the plan, when they asked me two years ago to go to Calvin and fix it — we knew it wouldn’t be forever,” Ruzow said. “We have been performing at retail very much in line with our peers; the whole better segment is struggling.”
After joining Kellwood in October 2001 as president of Kellwood Womenswear, Ruzow was appointed corporate vice president in March 2003 and promoted to executive vice president the following December, in addition to his post as president of Kellwood Womenswear. In September 2004, he was moved to the Calvin Klein division, which had trouble as a licensee, according to industry sources.
For complete coverage, see Monday’s issue of WWD.