[caption id="attachment_6074" align="aligncenter" width="490"]Silky satin for 2012 #TBT[/caption] Seems like it's been a decade but it's only been a five years or so since Sydney's Closet began designing our Signature Collection of  plus size Prom dresses.   For throwback Thursday we'll have fun looking back on  earlier designs from the Prom 2011 Collection! I'm proud to say we've come a long way since those first designs.Stuck on Satin The smooth, silky and sexy look of satin ruled for Prom 2011 and even lived on for Prom 2012.  Satin reminds me of the glamorous heyday of Hollywood when screen goddess like Rita Hayworth and Marlene Dietrich starred in movies. Satin is perfect for a night as big as Prom because the fabric has a natural shine that is even brighter under the lights. On the other hand, satin can be tricky because it snags easily.  All it takes is a brush against a bracelet to create a run in the fabric. The deep purple and bright orange satin look so dated now. But they were the hot colors then! So was the daffodil yellow satin waistband on a strapless chiffon design. (pictured above) Animal Kingdom Nothing created a bigger fashion roar in 2011 than wearing animal prints.  It was a real fashion jungle out there. I opted to represent the animal kingdom with a black and white zebra print that I used as a A-line skirt on a halter design. A hot pink waistband and a black bodice created a roar.   For a less tamed look,  I hunted down a tiger print that glowed with brown and gold accents beading. I even used an abstract animal  print that vaguely initiated a giraffe pattern, but only in black and white. One of my faves was a spotted leopard print splashed against a watercolor background.   [caption id="attachment_6072" align="aligncenter" width="490"]Plus Size Animal Print Dress[/caption]   Prints Charming The runway best seller that season was a satin, (again!) halter dress in a pretty floral print.  We couldn't keep it in stock. I think everyone loved the pretty green and pink colors against the white background. It just screamed "Spring". On the darker side, an abstract scarf print in deep dark navy with turquoise, cobalt and hints of green scored high with Prom girls and women dressing up for special occasions.  The print created a dramatic canvas that guaranteed you wouldn't be missed in a crowded room.   [caption id="attachment_6071" align="aligncenter" width="490"]Stunning colors![/caption]   Pleats Please The trend for pleated Prom dresses came and went in 2011. But we caught the wave with several striking designs including a scarlet red style in satin (again, again!) with tiny knife pleats that fell from a beaded waistband. You had to admit, the teen who wore this dress was certainly bold and beautiful. Surprisingly, pleats, if they fit correctly, can be very flattering to a curvy figure. But there's still resistance to even trying them on for fear they will accentuate weight, especially in the tummy and hips.   [caption id="attachment_6073" align="aligncenter" width="490"]Pleated striking red dress for our curvy customers.[/caption] Wondering what the hot trends will be for Prom 2015 dresses?  Preview what's coming soon!