Q10 With Robert Verdi

Each week, I will feature fascinating people from the world's of fashion, architecture, design, culinary, entertainment, and sports.

I choose this format as it provides you with an insider's peek into what motivates and makes them the influencers that they are.

This week we got the chance to chat with style expert Robert Verdi.

1. Whom do you credit for inspiring you to be the person you are today?

Certainly my parents had an affect on how I turned out by instilling all the important values in me. But it was my high school art teacher, Roberta Zelicow, who helped set my sails in the right direction. She saw something in me that I didn't see in myself or even realize I had. With her guidance I gained confidence and found direction.

2. What is your favorite get-away-from-it-all destination?

There are two places in my home that can take me away on a mini vacation at any moment. One is my bathtub; I love a big sudsy hot bubble bath to help me unwind. The other place is my bed, it's like a little tranquil island that belongs to just me. Now, when I want to check out of New York, I check into the Viceroy Hotel in Anguilla. It's a divine escape

3. How do you define your personal style?

I think for a long time, loud and colorful would have been the most accurate description of my clothing, but my style has always been routed in theme dressing. When I go sailing I wear navy and white and if I'm going to a rodeo I put on a cowboy hat and cowboy boots with wranglers. My style is about how I wear what everyone else is wearing and out my own twist on it to make it different.

For the full interview, please visit the Kara Ross Facebook page.