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Drake’s wrong-way ‘brand direction’

Canadian rapper allegedly owes man who picked out his clothes some $76,000

By JTA 28 August 2013, 7:05 pm

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NEW YORK — Drake’s smooth look doesn’t come cheap — especially if you’re the one dressing him.

According to papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, the Canadian rapper owes former stylist Michael Raphael more than $70,000 in fees and expenses, the New York Daily News reports.

Last summer Drake hired Raphael, the owner of a high-end Manhattan boutique he frequented, to help him with his “brand direction.” Translation: He hired Raphael to pick out his clothing. Which isn’t as easy as it sounds.

In preparation for the American Music Awards in November, for example, Raphael says he had to travel from Los Angeles to New York just to fetch a “custom-designed chain and pendant.”

Raphael also claims Drake asked him to move to Toronto but did not reimburse him for rent. Then there were the thousands of dollars of items he bought for Drake at Foot Locker, Nike and J. Crew. Raphael says Drake fired him in December before paying back any of the money he shelled out.