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Blondie's Best Fashion Moments

Debbie Harry of Blondie Defined the Punk Style That's Everywhere Again

Before Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry became the iconic bleach-blonde front woman of the new wave punk band Blondie, she was the adopted daughter of two gift shop owners in New Jersey, a go-go dancer, and Playboy Bunny. It wasn't until the mid-70s that she took to the stage as a singer, but all along she had more style and attitude that she knew what to do with, a coquetish badassness that made her a star. Beyond her hair and eye makeup, she was a pioneer of the mid-70s / late-80s style we see everywhere on the runways today, from one-shoulder tops to berets to colored tights. And at the age of 71, she hasn't lost her touch. These days, she can be spotted at fashion week parties in Paris, New York, and everywhere in between, and most recently she performed in a dress that said, "Stop f---ing up the planet." And as for her musical career, today Blondie released its 11th studio album, Pollinator, which features collaborations with young artists like Charli XCX and Dev Hynes. Over 40 years after the band first got together, their influence looms large.
Emilia Petrarca
May 5, 2017 1:37 pm
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1970
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Chris Gabrin/Getty Images
1/21

1970

Debbie Harry wears a one shoulder blue jumpsuit to perform with Blondie circa 1970. She would wear similar silhouettes throughout her career.

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Anthony Barboza/Getty Images
2/21

1975

Bondie was doing merch long before everyone else. Here, Debbie Harry models the punk rock band's embroidered script sweater top.

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Roberta Bayley/Getty Images
3/21

1976

Being a punk rocker and all, Debbie Harry's style was flashy but never ostentatious; stylish not fashionable. Here, she wears jean shorts and a tank on Coney Island.

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Waring Abbott/Getty Images
4/21

1977

Debbie Harry wears a "punk" t-shirt and scarf to a photo session on January 1, 1977 in New York City.

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
5/21

1977

Debbie Harry performs with Blondie onstage in February 1977 in Los Angeles, California wearing a pink beret, sunglasses, and pants.

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
6/21

1977

Debbie Harry wears a striped (and ripped) halter top to perform onstage with Blondie in April 1977 in Los Angeles, California.

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
7/21

1977

Debbie Harry poses with Blondie wearing a Starliner 77 tank top, jeans, and pumps at the Bel Air Sand Hotel in 1977 in Los Angeles, California.

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
8/21

1977

Debbie Harry poses in front of the Hollywood sign in 1977 wearing a floral skirt, striped shirt, sunglasses, and her signature heels.

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Chris Walter/Getty Images
9/21

1977

Debbie Harry toughens up her look by wearing cargo pants, boots, a button-up and a leather jacket in London, England circa 1977.

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Ebet Roberts/Getty Images
10/21

1977

Debbie Harry wears a one shoulder t-shirt and a red tie while performing circa 1977. To offset the top, she pulled her hair into a right-sided ponytail.

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Shinko Music/Getty Images
11/21

1978

While visiting Shinko Music in Tokyo in January 1978, Debbie Harry wore a black mini dress with figure-eight cutouts and knee-high boots.

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Brad Elterman/Getty Images
12/21

1978

While backstage at the Whisky a Go Go circa 1978 in Los Angeles, California, Debbie Harry was photographed in a "Vulture" shirt and a beret.

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Brian Cooke/Getty Images
13/21

1978

Debbie Harry sings in blue gloves at Blanford Studios in Marylebone, London during the making of a pop promo for Blondie's single 'I'm Always Touched By Your Presence Dear' for Chrysalis Records.

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
14/21

1979

Debbie Harry performs 'Heart of Glass' on the TV show Midnight Special that aired on January 19, 1979 in Los Angeles, California. She wears a blue cutout romper with matching tights and a headband.

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Maureen Donaldson/Getty Images
15/21

1979

In the late-70s and early-80s, Debbie Harry really began to experiment with color from head-to-toe. Here, she wears a yellow romper and matching tights.

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Ron Galella, Ltd.
16/21

1987

Debbie Harry attends the "Art Against AIDS" Cocktail Party and Auction at Sotheby's in New York City with Richard Gere wearing a colorful ensemble.

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Paul Bergen
17/21

1989

Debbie Harry performs in Amsterdam in 1989 wearing a leopard print onesie and knee-high black boots. Even in her middle-age, she wasn't afraid to take risks.

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Paul Natkin/Getty Images
18/21

1990

Debbie Harry poses against a wall at the Marcus Ampitheater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin wearing a bold, red fringe suit set.

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Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images
19/21

1999

Debbie Harry wears a surreal, colorful jumpsuit to the City Kids Foundation Benefit in New York City circa the year 1999.

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Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images
20/21

2016

Debbie Harry attends the "Coach Prom" in a letterman's jacket, camo dress, and metallic boots at Hotel Salomon de Rothschild on March 1, 2016 in Paris, France.

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Brian Rasic/Getty Images
21/21

2017

Never one for subtlety, Debbie Harry performs at The Roundhouse in London in 2017 wearing a dress that reads: "Stop Fucking the Planet."

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