Ferris Rafauli is the Toronto-based designer behind Sher Club – Drake's uber-exclusive, nothing-but-bling, no-plebs-allowed club hot spot in the ACC. Mr. Rafauli talks to The Globe about collaborating with the Six god, and the big – he means big – names expected there over all-star weekend.
How does one get tapped to design Drake's personal party lair in Toronto?
We were introduced by some friends socially. We clicked. I guess you could say we bonded over our love for the finer things. My firm handles what we refer to as a black-card market, which means low key, but very extravagant. I think it was just a good fit in terms of what Drake had in mind and what we do.
The vibe of the club is sort of Scarface meets Cirque du Soliel. Was that something you and Drake collaborated on?
Drake and I had a lot of discussion around the look and the vibe we wanted to create, which I would describe as very sexy, very dark and moody. The theme is modern baroque and the black and gold plays off Drake's OVO colours. The finishing details are extreme: exotic leathers and woods, pony fur couches, hand blown glass lighting. We wanted it to feel like an escape from the rest of the ACC. Many people go in there at halftime and they miss the second half of the game because they get lost in the party.
What can you tell me about the champagne room?
That's an exclusive space, a VIP room within the VIP club. It's a different look than the rest of the club in the sense that it has white banquettes instead of red crushed velvet. There's a huge TV. That space is meant for Drake and his guests when he's in town. That's why it's the champagne room, because Drake's nickname is the Champagne Papi. That and the whole room is wrapped in champagne bottles.
Will you be there this weekend?
Of course! There are a lot of private parties booked there that nobody knows about. A lot of big names coming. Like big ones.
So how do I get in?
That's what everyone wants to know. Members can bring a guest, but it's going to be very exclusive. The idea is to give VIPs a place where they can let loose, and be away from cameras. What happens at Sher stays at Sher.
Ferris Rafauli is the Toronto-based designer behind Sher Club – Drake’s uber-exclusive, nothing-but-bling, no-plebs-allowed club hot spot in the ACC. Mr. Rafauli talks to The Globe about collaborating with the Six god, and the big – he means big – names expected there over all-star weekend.
How does one get tapped to design Drake’s personal party lair in Toronto?
We were introduced by some friends socially. We clicked. I guess you could say we bonded over our love for the finer things. My firm handles what we refer to as a black-card market, which means low key, but very extravagant. I think it was just a good fit in terms of what Drake had in mind and what we do.
The vibe of the club is sort of Scarface meets Cirque du Soliel. Was that something you and Drake collaborated on?
Drake and I had a lot of discussion around the look and the vibe we wanted to create, which I would describe as very sexy, very dark and moody. The theme is modern baroque and the black and gold plays off Drake’s OVO colours. The finishing details are extreme: exotic leathers and woods, pony fur couches, hand blown glass lighting. We wanted it to feel like an escape from the rest of the ACC. Many people go in there at halftime and they miss the second half of the game because they get lost in the party.
What can you tell me about the champagne room?
That’s an exclusive space, a VIP room within the VIP club. It’s a different look than the rest of the club in the sense that it has white banquettes instead of red crushed velvet. There’s a huge TV. That space is meant for Drake and his guests when he’s in town. That’s why it’s the champagne room, because Drake’s nickname is the Champagne Papi. That and the whole room is wrapped in champagne bottles.
Will you be there this weekend?
Of course! There are a lot of private parties booked there that nobody knows about. A lot of big names coming. Like big ones.
So how do I get in?
That’s what everyone wants to know. Members can bring a guest, but it’s going to be very exclusive. The idea is to give VIPs a place where they can let loose, and be away from cameras. What happens at Sher stays at Sher.