Born in Hamburg, Germany in 1976 - the unabashed Robert Geller graduated in 2001 from the Rhode Island School of Design and began his formal training under the guidance of Marc Jacobs at his corporate headquarters in New York City. Fast foward to 2002, Geller was brought in at struggling label Cloak to provide it with the modern, yet dark, revamp it required.

Under his guidance, he subsequently managed to win the Eco Domani Fashion Fund Award and the Vogue/CFDA grant in 2004.

What seems like a natural innate sense at design, in 2007 Geller, always the entrepreneur and self-motivator, single handily launched his namesake collection to the praise of the international menswear fashion realm…and hasnt stopped since.

Below, a one-on-one with a man I both respect and admire…

Who is the Robert Geller male?

He is very modern in the way that he is complex. While he is strong and maybe a little rough, he is interested in fashion and the arts. He will have a beer but also a really good book. He dresses well but is never a slave to fashion.

What influence does German culture have on your creations?

I see my work as partly reflecting Europe and partly reflecting New York and I think this blend can be seen in my design. The elegance and romance is very German to me, I get a lot of that from my life there, but the tough, edginess of the collection is very much New York.

What compelled you to launch your namesake collection?

I was given the opportunity by someone who had an interest in seeing me do my own collection. I love to make men’s clothing and I feel like I can offer something cool. I am very lucky to be able to work as I do.

How has winning the GQ 2009 “Best New Menswear Designer in America” award impacted your business?

I am very honored to have won this award. In a time when business is difficult, it is great to have their support to counter the challenges that everyone is experiencing.

What are you currently working on now?

Spring 2010. I was just in Tokyo to check the samples and we are getting ready for the sales season. The show will be in September.

What would you say has had the biggest influence on who you are today?

Having moved quite often growing up, I attended many international schools which has taught me to understand and appreciate all types of people – a very important trait when running a global business.

Where do you see Robert Geller in 10 years?

This is always a funny question for me because I really don’t want that much to change. I would like to open a special shop to show my customers the whole spectrum of my aesthetic and start generating enough sales to support a small staff.

What are some must-have items that every man should have in their closet?

Underwear and socks - the beginnings of most great outfits.

How would you define your sense of style?

My collection and my personal style tend to go hand in hand. Some of the things I wear I won’t put on the runway and vice versa, but there is a large cross section.

Are there any films/books/soundtracks that have had a constant impact and influence on your collections?

Films, books and music always have influenced the collections. I have been a very big fan of The Cure fan since I was a teenager and there is always some of that in the collections in addition to the books and films that are inspiring me at the time.

What upcoming men’s designers are currently on your radar?

I am good friends with Richard Chai and his collection is really nice.