CLOWNS AND GOWNS\Color it a decidedly peculiar mix of fashion, fusion and funk.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Staff Writer

How can so many vocally expressive artists be so fashionably inhibited? In a town where people actually send invitations that read, "Creative Black Tie," creativity was at a real low at the Grammy Awards.

OK, Mariah Carey had a classy white chiffon gown that could have even taken her to the Oscars in style, but the gorgeous gown never made it on stage.

Also looking fresh in white were actor Andy Garcia, who handed out awards in a stunning white tuxedo with a black bow tie; vocalist Gloria Estefan in a V-necked sleeveless sheath; Tony Braxton in a sexy white halter gown; and host Ellen DeGeneres, who wore a mod pantsuit with an icy green satin shirt under her zip-front jacket. Even Joan Osborne's white leather-looking jacket with the '40s buttons and collar over a long full skirt shined in the sea of dated black leather, jeans and plaid shirts.

There were clowns among the gowns. Giving the three-hour show an energy boost was the group TLC, wearing turquoise, yellow and orange hip-huggers with matching tops featuring vinyl insets; the country group the Mavericks, whose lead singer wore a ruffled blue satin tuxedo shirt with a glittery burgundy jacket; and Little Richard in orange satin and black sequins.

Like any big-deal event in Los Angeles, most artists who dared to dress up wore black. And some, like Shania Twain, sizzled. The Best Country Album winner wore a black illusion lace jumpsuit with a black bra and tap pants peeking through the tulle and a shiny black fitted jacket over it. It was eye-catching, but Twain said it wasn't a designer look, rather something she pulled together to be comfortable.

Other noteworthy fashion statements in black were made by Alanis Morissette, who accepted all four of her Grammys in a body-hugging satin gown accented by a rope of Indian beads; Tony Rich, wearing a fleece-trimmed black jacket with black satin pants and a derby; Bonnie Raitt in illusion lace with black beading; Contemporary Soul Gospel Album winner CeCe Winans in a velvet gown with trumpet sleeves that looked very regal with her highly varnished French twist 'do; and awards presenter Anita Baker in an off-the-shoulder cut-velvet gown.

Trends were few and far between, but there were several pin-striped suits with '40s gangster inspiration. Most visible was Female Pop Vocal Performance winner Annie Lennox, who later traded her pin stripes for silver lame to sing with Coolio, who also favored pin stripes, accented with a retro print tie and coordinating silk pocket square. As stylish as Coolio was, however, Seal outdressed him with an impeccably tailored shiny silk suit with an open-collared satin dress shirt.

Too bad they didn't let Hootie & the Blowfish in on it. They accepted their two awards in jeans and T-shirts.

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Photo (1--Color) One of the most colorful dressers on Grammy night was Joanne Sullivan, who sold cigarettes in feathers and satin in front of the Shrine Auditorium. (2--Color) Shania Twain bared all in a sexy, see-through jumpsuit - and then covered it up with a form-fitting black leather jacket. (3--Color) Judy Tenuta arrived at the Grammy Awards on a stuffed horse, a stunt for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. (4--Color) Bone Thugs-N-Harmony wore their class sweaters to the Grammys hoping to win Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, but they lost to Method Man. (5--Color) The "gloved one" at last night's ceremonies, Mary J. Blige, made a swanky fashion statement in leopard print chiffon and oversized glasses. (6--Color) Blues Travelers' John Popper suited up in a tuxedo and a fedora to win the Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal. (7--Color) Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters wore a classy black suit and sleek braids, unlike most rock artists, who favored denim and leather. (8--Color) Liza Minnelli went unzipped to the Grammys, showing an excess of cleavage, but she had a cute handbag. Michael Owen Baker/Daily News Evan Yee/Daily News David Sprague/Daily News