Debbie Harry

The New Wave icon on becoming Blondie and what Iggy Pop taught her

- ELISABETH GARBER-PAUL

What’s the most indulgent purchase you’ve ever made?

One of the first things that I bought that I considered indulgent at the time was something from [designer] Issey Miyake. I don’t know how you would describe it — it was sort of like a long, quilted, sleeveless, Japanese peasant-style jacket. It was very uniquely him, and I just went for it. I don’t know what else I would consider self-indulgent. Probably everything.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

From a manager that I had a long time ago. His favorite answer to a lot of things was, “Well, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” I was very disappointed about that, because we were being taken out to lunch a lot, but I understand the underpinnings for that. And then the serious best advice that I got was to get good legal advice.

How has that helped you over the years?