The latest in a string of successes for local designers: Rachel Turk and Nathaniel Crissman, who together comprise the label church + state, and who recently debuted their spring collection of short, white pinafore-esque pieces, "The happys. The sads. And the buttermilks." have made it as finalists in the Gen Art Styles 2006 International Design Competition. church + state is one of only five finalists in the women's ready-to-wear category, and will be appearing in a group fashion show at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, where they will be judged by the likes of Rebecca Taylor and Diane Von Furstenberg. If they win, they'll get $5,000 and a hell of a lot of press. Congratulations to them, and good luck!

Back on the home turf, the fashion shows just keep on coming. Saturday is "Catwalk" (benefiting the Boost Foundation, which allocates funds to charities), featuring local hotshot Michelle DeCourcy (whose boutique can now be found at 916 NW Flanders), Souchi (806 NW 23rd, all hand-knit cashmere, as seen in the Mercury's recent fashion showcase), and Christopher Bevans (of Nike's Blue Ribbon Sports collective). Free booze is not so much free as it is included in the hefty admission price. (w/DJ Mr. MuMu, Sat May 6, 8 pm, Henry V, 6360 NE MLK, $150)

Sunday brings a more wallet friendly event, with "Four All Seasons," a huge fashion show (30 area apparel and accessories designers, over 40 local models, and 15 hair/make-up stylists), preceded by a trunk show (featuring some of the participating designers, plus other vendors offering makeover certificates, art, and more), and ending with a raffle of designer goods. Look for heavy-duty handbags from Hardwear by Renee (whose inspiration is Home Depot), bold retro designs by Ali May (the work of the show's producer, Alison McMillan, a veteran of about 40 fashion shows), and 28 more! Rather than limit itself to spring, the show will encompass all four seasons of the year, helping the audience know what to look for from regional designers year round. Plus, a portion of the profits will go to the Ronald McDonald House. (Sun May 7, Portland Art Museum, 1119 SW Park, trunk show 2 pm in the Sunken Ballroom, free; show 6 pm in the Grand Ballroom, $15, $25 VIP; raffle to follow show)

Talk shop: marjorie@portlandmercury.com