Queen of Punk: 15 Extraordinary Portraits of Debbie Harry From 1977 to 1988

When photographer Brian Aris first met Debbie Harry in 1977 he didn’t know that much about her and scribbled down the phrase “punk princess” in his diary after the shoot. He could never have predicted that he had just met one of music’s next big icons whose career with Blondie would explode over the next few years– nor did he realise that as her star rose he too would continue to photograph her and her band for decades to come.

Here, a collection of 15 portraits of Debbie Harry taken by photographer Brian Aris from 1977 to 1988. With her two-toned bleached-blonde hair, the front woman of new wave band Blondie is the ultimate 70s icon. This collection combines portraits from Blondie’s heyday, colorful shots taken in Debbie Harry’s New York apartment and a selection of Polaroids.

Debbie Harry looking pretty in pink for her 'Island of Lost Souls' video shoot in the Scilly Isles, 1982.

Debbie Harry shows off her knees in a New York Studio, 1981.

Plenty of blonde ambition on show in Debbie Harry's New York Apartment featuring her very own Warhol Portrait, 1988.

Debbie Harry's first session at Old Street Studio in London, 1977.

Debbie Harry in a New York Studio, 1981.

Debbie Harry in Andy Warhol's Bad T-Shirt, Old Street Studio, London, 1979.

Debbie Harry pictured while travelling to the Scilly Isles to film the video for 'Island of Lost Souls', 1982.

Debbie Harry in her dressing room in a New York Studio, 1985.

Debbie Harry, New York Studio, 1980.

Debbie Harry, Camo Outfit, Holborn Studios, London, 1987.

Debbie Harry, New York Apartment, Back Yard, 1983.

Debbie Harry travelling to the Scilly Isles to film the video of “Island of Lost Souls”, 1982.

Debbie Harry, New York Studio, 1980.

Debbie Harry, Halloween Outfit, New York Apartment, Back Yard, 1983.

Debbie Harry in Andy Warhol's Bad T-Shirt, Old Street Studio, London, 1979.

(Photos © Brian Aris)