Carmen Electra has a closet full of memories. After all, she was a dancer who went by Tara Leigh Patrick before she was discovered by Prince in the early ’90s. The music icon jump-started Electra’s career, signing her to his label and helping her become the bombshell personality we know today. Her signature look at the time was skimpy, yet packed with high-octane glitz—an aesthetic choice that has seen a recent resurgence on the runways. So what pieces from Electra’s yesteryear wardrobe have seemingly come full circle? Tucked away in her closet, you’ll discover the kicky black pin-striped three-piece skirt suit that she wore to first meet Prince. (According to her, he liked the look so much, he had the same suit made for her in red.) More showstopping items from her early career include piles of hot pants and hot pink pieces with a burlesque vibe.
Electra ruled the late ’90s and early 2000s, when barely-there, OTT clothes defined the times. During that period, she openly admits she made a few faux pas, specifically referencing the T-shaped gown she wore to the MTV Movie Awards in 1998. “I landed on almost every worst dressed list you could think of,” she says. Fast-forward to 2017, though, and that look has returned to the red carpet. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if Electra’s risk-taking looks appear on several celebrity mood boards. Here, watch as she takes us through her closet and shares the stories behind her most memorable looks.