Not To brag, the Mercury's annual Spring fashion show is one of the hugest and most well-attended Portland fashion events of the year, and it's coming up quick. This year's showcase will take place on May 12 at the most excellently spacious Sandbox Studio, and we are currently looking for new talent: Portland-area apparel and accessory designers interested in participating should send us an introductory statement about you and your designs, including your background, materials, objectives, inspirations—anything that will help paint a picture of your point of view. Additionally, please send us photographs of at least three completed pieces (the more the merrier). Supplementary materials like sketches, process photos, swatches, etc. are welcome, but *please do not send anything you need returned to you*.

We call the show "Open Season" to reflect our inclusiveness of a variety of business models. We are interested in providing a snapshot of the best in current Portland design, whether that means you debut spring in spring, or whether you hew to the more traditional season-ahead calendar of the industry at large. We also love to showcase pattern and textile designers, but non-apparel designers should be prepared to present their work in complete, full-body looks that can stand alone on the runway (be creative!). Electronic submissions can be sent to marjorie@portlandmercury.com, and hard copies to the address printed here.