The chef is Mario Collins. The ingredients are elegance, sophistication and personal confidence.

Toss in 28 models for a little zest, and you get Wednesday’s Vanity Fashion Fair show, Shades of Autumn. The purpose of the show, which will be at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms, is to expose people to the fashions of the winter season.

The Vanity Fair Fashion Models is an SIUC Registered Student Organization that produces and presents fashion shows throughout the year.

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While models will be donning winter gear from clothing stores including American Eagle, The Buckle, Lane Bryant and Gadzooks, Collins said it is not the physical appearance of the models that is important, but rather how the clothing is presented.

They must know how to walk correctly, pose, hold a character and, most importantly, have self-confidence in whatever is worn, said Collins, Vanity Fashion Fair Models president and a senior in recreation from Chicago. It’s not the look that counts. It’s just the way they wear the clothes with an attitude.

The overall winter theme of Shades of Autumn will consist of four acts:sportswear, lingerie, all-male casual wear and all-female casual wear.

Sandor Williams, a senior in civil engineering from Chicago and Vanity choreographer, said the variance in fashion and diversity throughout the group promises to offer something for everyone.

We have a variety of different things going on in the show, Williams said. Our uniqueness is our diversity in people as far as our attitude and character.

Jason Williams, a junior in business management from Bellwood and Vanity model, said that because of the importance of fashion, the group has much to offer its audience.

The theme is winter, and winter can be anywhere from extremely dressy to sporty or rugged, he said. Our shows are a conglomerate of all of our ideas. Our individual styles complement the group style.

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Williams said his style is smooth with a bit of razzle and dazzle.

It’s my moment in the spotlight, he said. It’s just those few little seconds when I am the man.

Creative styling is the primary concern for Vanity choreographer Monica Ousley as she decides the best way to present fashion.

We try to picture what is going to make the clothes look the best, she said. Everyone dresses how they feel, so we have to have an idea of different ways to wear the clothing. Fashion is about having a little creativity.

Because Vanity is a model organization, Collins said the group is often mistaken for an egotistical high society. He said Vanity is a group of ordinary students like everyone else on campus. The group, founded in 1983, also performs at other campus functions when invited to do so.

We have this image that we are all that, and everyone thinks we are stuck up, he said. But, we’re just very confident and laid-back.

Ousley said although Vanity is viewed negatively by some, students and faculty should come to the show and support the group.

Vanity is portrayed totally wrong, she said. We don’t think we’re the best. Everyone is down-to-earth. When people think of Vanity, they should just think of fashion.

Factoid:The Vanity Fashion Show, Shades of Autumn, will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Center Ballrooms. Admission is $3.