Fashion.

Whether the word brings to mind products like Gucci or the yard sale special flannel-shirt, one thing’s for certain in the city of Athens — the colors red and black never seem to slip out of style.

This year’s seasonal reappearance of trends is why the second annual “Coming Home With Style,” the official University Homecoming fashion show, has chosen the spirited theme, “Fashionably Red and Black.”

The Memorial Hall ballroom will debut the show at 8 tonight. A $1 donation is required, and fashion-savvy students should know that wearing white shoes after Labor Day is not recommended.

A group of cosmotologists and models from previous shows helped select a group of students worthy of sauntering down the runway in the University’s hallowed colors.

“Tryouts for modeling positions were based on students’ personality and displaying a unique look,” said Ashley Todey, a junior from Crabapple and a member of Aesthetic Impulse, the organization producing the fashion show.

“We don’t look for typical model types,” Todey added. “We just want to see spunk.”

While the Homecoming fashion show last year revolved strictly around students clad in attire cut up and reworked from the bookstore, the folks at Aesthetic Impulse have invaded a more expansive area in search of red and black costumes for the exposition.

“We found all the clothes on display at local retailers,” said Bianca Henderson, creative director of Aesthetic Impulse.

“Everything the models wear is red, black, silver or white and comes from Georgia Square Mall or other shops downtown,” she added.

The majority of the show will involve students depicting fashionable methods of sporting athletic apparel, including jerseys and sweatshirts.

Men and women’s clothing will be placed under the spotlight for the connoisseur of style and the fashionably incompetent to enjoy.

“I don’t know if I’m a great candidate for fashion expertise,” said Chris Ravotti, a senior from Athens.

“I know one thing though, red pants are definitely not stylish.”

If checking out the garb (and the models) isn’t enough to feed the endless appetite for entertainment, students can focus their eyes and ears on Thomas Valentine, hip-hop MC.

“Valentine will do a special finale for the show with a freestyle performance about the final five outfits,” Henderson said. “He should be very entertaining.”

The show is part of the annual week-long festivities leading up to the Homecoming showdown against the University of Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday.

“We want to establish the show,” Henderson said. “I’m just hoping it becomes an annual event.”