Topshop's Philip Green Surfaces Stateside

Billionaire Philip Green, whose retail empire includes Marks and Spencer and Topshop, is making the rounds at New York Fashion Week, rumored to be searching for new talent partnerships. Green has been spotted taking in shows from fellow countrymen and former Topshop collaborators Preen and Jonathan Saunders, as well as collection presentations from New York favorites Thakoon and Alexander Wang. According to Elle UK, Green has said "he is looking for one or two new US designer collaborations and will be working with CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg to achieve these." Given the fact that Von Furstenberg is currently mentoring Alexander Wang as a result of his having won CFDA/Vogue's annual Fashion Fund award, our money is on Wang landing the gig. Good news for Topshop (and possibly Wang) fans in the states: Green told the Guardian Thursday that he is looking to expand his Topshop empire in the states by up to 15 outposts (first up is the much-anticipated SoHo shop that's slated to open April 2nd).