Debbie Harry:'Does anybody have any style any more?'

How would you describe your style?
Does anybody have any style any more? I guess I’ve got New York style;I tend to like fitted clothes and very bright colours. The way I feel about looking good is that it has to be stylish and it has to look nice,but after I get it on and I’m out there having a good time I don’t want to think about it. I like to get it right and then forget about it.

What is the oldest thing in your wardrobe?
A dress I made out of scarves from the 1960s.

What’s your latest addition?
A beautiful mesh dress made for me by Michael Schmidt;it’s extraordinary. We wanted something that was very reflective and shiny for the last tour;it’s metal with all kinds of stones in it.

What would you wear ...
... on a first date? Are you thinking I should wear something really sexy? It would depend on where I was going and who I was having a date with.
... on a plane? If it’s a long flight,comfort is my main goal,but that doesn’t exclude something nice.
I try to look organised.
... to the Oscars? I’d hook up with a really great designer – Marc Jacobs is one of my favourites.

Who are some of your other favourite designers?
Long ago and down through the years it was Stephen Sprouse – those were the days. Chris Benz is a terrific designer. I’ve also worked with some great Australian designers,including Melanie Greensmith from Wheels&Dollbaby. She’s a lot of fun.

What are three essential items in your wardrobe?
Black tights or fitted pants,tailored shirts with collars,and sheath dresses with little hoods from Vin + Omi – two designers I’ve been working with from London who make some really interesting,unusual pieces.

What was your first fashion moment?
When I was a very little girl,my grandmother bought me a coat. It was dark green with a velvet collar and I just loved the way it looked and fit. It was one of my favourite things.

Can you remember any favourite outfits as a child?
I loved wearing my father’s plaid flannel shirts. Later on,when I was a teenager,I had a pink dress with a big full skirt that I really loved.

And your worst fashion mistake?
I guess I’ve been trying hard to forget because I can’t think of any! I’m sure there have been a lot.

What is your favourite fashion decade?
I don’t know. If I were to choose,it would be something very different to today,like the 1930s or ’50s.

Have you kept any of your iconic Blondie outfits?
Absolutely,I recently went through all of my costumes. I have some amazing things from the ’70s. I found my zebra dress,that was from very early on.

What would you buy if money were no object?
If I was going to really spend a bundle,I’d go to Comme des Garçons and get something unique and very beautiful. Those clothes are just extraordinary,really outstanding.

What shoes do you wear most often?
Boots,usually a low boot but sometimes over the knee. I used to wear these shoes called Pollys all the time – I would buy them from Fredericks of Hollywood. They were open-toed shoes with a wooden platform and high heel.

Face It (HarperCollins) by Debbie Harry is out now.

This article appears inSunday Life magazine within theSun-Herald and theSunday Age on sale January 19.