A Foreign Affair ... Diane Von Furstenberg F/W 2008

The glorious past of the war-torn days relived on runway by legendary fashion visionary Diane Von Furstenberg.

Here's how the plot works: the New York-based Belgian designer sent her imaginary muse for a trip to the three top cities of the 40's - Berlin, Shanghai, and Manhattan. Throw the luxuries of old Hollywood golden period and fashion sense into the brainstorming and DVF fall/winter 2008 ready to wear collection surfaced.

Staged at the recent New York Fashion Week 2008, the presentation saw models being dolled up into the likes of 40's style icons gracing the runway in classic separates and amazing dress with great use of volumes.

Starting the fashion show was model Regina Feoktistova dressed in black bow front blouse with and a A-line skirt with flared knee-length hem. Cinched at the waist, a jacket is worn over the ensemble with thin belt worn high-waisted complemented by a green beret and open-toed heels in patent leather, reminds me of Brooke Shield's portrayal as comic character Brenda Starr.

Shimmering gold lurex dress with plummeting V-neck looks totally fluid as if the model, Coco Rocha was swathed in gold-tinted water. Giving it an old Hollywood charm is the velvet black gloves and jewel-encrusted bracelet adorned with multi-precious stones.

Siri Tollerod looks immaculate in long dress from shiny silk satin with classic floral print of blue flowers with square neckline and a bow detail on the right strap. Flowery embroidered velvet jacket in midnight blue with golden thread worn over printed dress with leather belt and strappy leather sandals are another DVF's must wear ensemble this coming Fall.

Since the 40's Shanghai was also on her muse's travel itinerary, von Furstenberg also included a cheongsam-styled dress in Oriental flower prints of blooming chrysanthemum in black and white.

A few apparels later, model Lisa Cant walked on the runway wearing a printed dress in beige and gray with fringed hem plus a vest that looks more of a waistcoat over the dress.

Sporting the same print was Joan Smalls in a flouncy skirt with knee-height hem , matching long-sleeved blouse with ruffled collar and cuffs, gray striped cardigans, plain black sweater and finished off with slim leather belt and open-toed heels.

Diane von Furstenberg's fall/winter 2008 collection is scheduled to hit DVF standalone boutiques and selected retailers by the end of August to late September this year. At the meantime, the spring/summer 2008 collection are available in stores.

*Photos by Marcio Madeira for style.com

Diane von Furstenberg - L2, Takashimaya Shopping Center, 391 Orchard Road, Singapore; L1, Plaza Indonesia, Jalan M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30, 10350 Jakarta, Indonesia.

TriBeCa - Level 1, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, 50800 Kuala Lumpur.