The Art of Being an Imagemaker

Scene: In the latest issue of RARE Fashion Magazine by Ja’Dee Murphy, Chief Editor.
In the world of fashion, there are creatives and then there are visionaries who transcend titles. Fred J. DeVito is one of those rare individuals whose journey is not confined to a single lane, but rather expands across art direction, photography, storytelling, and cultural documentation.
To call him a photographer would be limiting, To call him an art director would only tell part of the story. Fred J. DeVito is, as he defines it, an imagemaker, a creator of moments that live beyond time.
From iconic campaigns and historic collaborations to the quiet poetry of street culture, his work captures not only what we see, but what we feel. In this exclusive conversation, we explore the journey, the purpose, and the legacy of a man who continues to shape how we view the world through imagery.
Scene: Alva Chinn, Halstonette, photographed at the Cooper Hewitt Museum.
Scene: Young man in black leather coat and white socks photographed on Park Avenue.
Scene: Friends hanging out photographed on Wooster Street in SoHo.
Scene: Ad campaigns I art directed: Halston for Bloomingdale’s with Joan Severance and Tony Spinelli, photographed by Arthur Elgort; Almay Cosmetics with Yasmin Le Bon, photographed by David Seidman; Karl Lagerfeld with Tatjana Patitz, photographed by Wayne Maser; BodyViews with Monica Bellucci, photographed by William Garrett.

Scene: RARE front cover and content page.
What makes Fred J. DeVito extraordinary is not simply longevity in his career, nor the legendary names and iconic brands attached to his journey. It is the ability to remain connected to the human experience through imagery, emotion, memory, and truth.
In a world consumed with visibility, Fred reminds us that true artistry is not always about being seen, but about seeing. Seeing beauty in simplicity. Seeing history in ordinary moments. Seeing purpose beyond commerce.
Throughout this conversation, what resonated deeply with me was his humility, his wisdom, and his unwavering respect for the creative process. There are a softness and intelligence in the way he speaks about fashion, art, collaboration, and humanity that reflects the essence of someone who has truly lived through multiple eras of transformation while never losing his authenticity…

Special thanks to Ja’Dee Murphy for inviting me to be interviewed and appear in the latest issue of RARE. Much gratitude!