About Editor/Publisher

Ja’Dee Murphy: Visionary Architect of RARE Fashion & Modern Portraiture

In the shifting world of fashion—where trends come and go but true vision leaves a legacy—Ja’Dee Murphy stands as a quiet force and undeniable architect of imagery. A Bronx-born photographer, model manager, and founder of “RARE Fashion Magazine “, he has spent decades shaping not only how beauty is seen, but “who” gets to be seen. From launching one of the first all-Black male modeling agencies to building a collector’s fashion publication, Ja’Dee’s journey is a story of resilience, representation, and a relentless belief in the art of being RARE.

Raised in the Bronx, Ja’Dee grew up surrounded by movement, music, style, and the raw theatre of city life. From a youthful age he sketched, painted, danced, and performed—using art as both refuge and language. Over time, his path led through New York’s art and fashion schools, where he deepened his skills in design, illustration, and costume.

That early training in drawing, color, form, and character laid the foundation for everything that would come later: his styling, his management of models, and ultimately his photographic eye.

B.M.E. & Tones: Building Space for the Unseen

In the mid-1990s, long before “diversity” became a marketing slogan, Ja’Dee made a bold move. In “1996”, he founded “B.M.E. (Black Male Enterprise)”—recognized as the first all-Black male modeling agency, created to carve out industry space for men of color who were too often sidelined or tokenized.

B.M.E. later evolved into “Tones Model Management,” a full-service agency representing models across ethnicities while still centering inclusion, range, and dignity. Through Tones, Ja’Dee coached, developed, and guided countless aspiring models, helping them secure editorial work, runway bookings, and long-term professional careers. Many of the talents he touched went on to major agencies, campaigns, and international runways—proof that behind many “overnight successes” was his careful casting, direction, and belief.

From Manager to Image-Maker: The Photographer Emerges

What began as a necessity—needing strong images for his models—evolved into a full-fledged calling: “photography.”

Over time, Ja’Dee stepped fully behind the lens and became one of New York’s sought-after fashion and portrait photographers. His work is noted for its emotional depth, dramatic use of light, and a painterly quality that has drawn comparisons to “Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro”—using light and shadow to reveal the psychological intensity of his subjects.

His portraits and fashion stories have been published in multiple outlets, including PhotoVogue and independent fashion titles, and his images have appeared on magazine covers, promotional campaigns, and special editions.

Whether photographing a first-time model or a seasoned legend, Ja’Dee’s work is defined by:

Strong, sculpted lighting, High-definition attention to fabric, skin, and texture, Honest, unguarded expressions,

and deep respect for maturity, history, and lived experience.

RARE Fashion Magazine: A Collector’s Publication

In 2015, Ja’Dee launched what would become his signature legacy project: “RARE Fashion Magazine”—a publication dedicated to exceptional, non-commercial, artist-driven fashion imagery.

More than a typical magazine, RARE was conceived as a collector’s item, a platform where designers, photographers, models, and artists from around the world could present their most original work without being forced into commercial constraints. RARE focuses on:

· High fashion and avant-garde editorials

· Beauty and glam artistry

· Runway and backstage stories

· Music, performance, and fine art crossovers

Ja’Dee serves as Founder, CEO, Chief Editor, and Art Director, overseeing everything from casting and concept to layout and final imagery. Over the years, RARE has released special editions, anniversary issues, and themed volumes—each one curated with the same care as a gallery exhibition.

Collaborations: Designers, Icons, and Cultural Voices

Across his career as a photographer, editor, and creative director, Ja’Dee has worked with a wide range of designers, artists, and performers. Among the names publicly associated with his work are:

Fashion Designers

Richard Petit of Papillon Dezign / Papillon Designz, Tyrell Mason, Edwing D’Angelo, Lewis Beilharz, 

Duane Fish, Adrian Alicea, Michael Cinco, Ziad Nakad, Stephane Rolland, Giambattista Valli, Elie Saab, and others featured and supported through his editorial work.

Recording Artists & Performers

R&B and soul artists including Zeime, Rob Lowe, Blake Carrington, David Walker, Darryl D’Bonneau, Jahmal Brown, and rapper Maino & The Mafia.

Stage and editorial collaborations with gospel, house, and R&B talents whose image and presence were elevated through his lens and direction.

Models & Industry Legends

Editorial and tribute collaborations with classic and contemporary models, including celebrated figures like “Ngo Okafor,” as well as other trailblazers featured in RARE and in his independent photography.

His editorial and event work has also intersected with civic and political spaces: his photography credits appear in platforms such as “City & State New York’s “Power of Diversity: Women 100” and “Brooklyn Power 100,” underscoring his role in documenting contemporary leadership and influence across New York City.

Recognition & Lifetime Achievement

Ja’Dee’s contributions to fashion, photography, and representation have not gone unnoticed. Among his most notable honors is the “Worlds International Lifetime Achievement Crystal Award, received in “2023” for his outstanding impact on fashion and photography. And recognition for the Mayor of New Jersey for his Lifetime achievement Award 

This recognition sits alongside years of respect from designers, models, and fellow creatives who regard him as both a pioneer and mentor, someone who opens doors, tells the truth, and champions those who might otherwise be overlooked.

The Art of Being Seen

Today, Ja’Dee continues to work from New York, balancing editorial shoots, RARE Fashion Magazine releases, and collaborations with emerging and established talents. Social platforms like “Instagram and X” highlight his dual role as NYC photographer and magazine owner, capturing everything from high-end sessions at art galleries like Novado Art Gallery to intimate portraits and behind-the-scenes moments.

What unites all his work—whether it is a runway legend, a new model, a political leader, or a personal portrait—is a singular intention:

· To honor the subject.

· To tell their story with dignity.

· To make sure they are seen.

Ja’Dee Murphy is more than a photographer or editor; he is a curator of lives, a designer of opportunities, and a guardian of authenticity in an industry that often forgets its soul. Through B.M.E., Tones Model Management, and RARE Fashion Magazine, he has built not just images, but infrastructure for representation.

His journey is still unfolding, but one truth is clear:

Ja’Dee doesn’t just document fashion—

he documents “people, power, and possibility.