It’s on the nose, but it’s true: Debbie Harry will always be the ultimate blondie. And it’s not because of her punk band’s moniker. It’s because the singer, throughout some 40 years in the spotlight, has remained consistent, says Sally Hershberger colorist Sulekha Hilton, who is sought after by blondes across L.A. “People don’t keep the same look like they used to. It changes like the wind.”
“Who wouldn’t say she’s influential? Of course she was,” says Hilton of the icon who turned 70 on July 1. “I used to want to look like her when I was little. She’s gorgeous, she’s hot and she’s always had the blonde thing. Sometimes it was more root and it was dark underneath for a second, but whereas Madonna’s look has changed drastically over the years, Debbie’s been consistent. You could say any musical performer who’s blonde has been influenced by her.”
Perhaps the celebrity who was most influenced by the Blondie singer’s “bleach and tone” platinum hair, says Hilton, is Gwen Stefani, who she calls the “new Debbie Harry. She, like Debbie Harry, has had her staple look for the whole time I’ve been aware of her. It’s very in at the moment and it’s a powerful look.”
