DIVINE INSPIRATION; THE ORIGINAL MADONNA MAKES HER MARK ON FASHION.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Fashion Editor

Holy mother of Jesus. Madonna - not to be confused with the pop singer - is the newest fashion trend.

Now, don't get your rosary beads in a knot over it, but these days fashion designers are getting their inspiration from a higher source. Instead of taking direction from the usual places such as movies, teen trends or even pop icons, several big-name designers have based their spring collections on religious icons.

``With the millennium approaching, people are seeking solace in religion, spirituality, yoga and meditation,'' observed Neiman Marcus spokeswoman Beverly Morgan. And since fashion designers are at the forefront of the trend, there's an abundance of spiritual designs, from Madonna to Buddha, she noted.

Shauna Stein, of the Shauna Stein boutique in the Beverly Center in West Los Angeles, has seen the same light at the end of the tunnel. ``I think it's a trend to bring basic values that we've forgotten back into focus ... to lure young people back to their religious roots,'' said Stein. ``Look at the designs from Italy's Dolce & Gabbana. There's no question that this is what they grew up with.''

Italian duo Dolce & Gabbana reportedly upset the Vatican by sporting Renaissance-period likenesses of the Madonna and child on skirts, tops and dresses.

But at least their Madonna has her clothes on, unlike the designs by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Always over the edge, Gaultier's newest collection features a cartoonish conversation print of a nude Madonna, crosses, hearts and crowns of thorns in artificially bright colors.

European designer Ann Demeulemeester avoided rocking the religious boat with a minimalist approach. Her models paraded the catwalk in innocent white frocks with the word ``holy'' across the chest.

In Los Angeles, Kellie Delkeskamp, who designs under the Josephine Lokas label, used both pictures and words. In her spring collection, which should hit stores by late April, you'll find lots of white sportswear featuring a respectful likeness of the Virgin Mary with a glowing halo and the words ``Divinity/Diva'' beneath her.

``Honest, Dolce & Gabbana didn't inspire me, but it made me feel more comfortable knowing that big designers like them are doing it. And it was the most fun I've had in the cut-and-sew business,'' Delkeskamp said with a laugh.

A 1997 nominee for the CaliforniaMart's Rising Star Award, the young designer explained that she got the idea while taking a yoga lesson.

``We were talking about what spring meant, and I got to thinking that the Virgin Mary epitomizes femininity. She is creation. And my clothes are about creativity and goodness,'' she said.

The religious experience in the fashion world has even affected advertising campaigns. Diesel, the Italian denim company, has a new magazine ad that features four rosary-clutching nuns. The new dark denim jeans ads suggest a superior quality made from ``virginal'' cotton that shoppers can find at upscale stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue.

To complete the look, or at least acknowledge the trend, you'll need some spiritual guidance in the accessory department. Junior boutiques such as Contempo have religious icons on purses, while Claire's boutiques offer a complete department called WWJD. That's ``What Would Jesus Do?'' explained Christina Sladek, the manager of Claire's in the Topanga Plaza mall in Canoga Park. According to Sladek, the WWJD department, which opened in January, has been a big success, featuring WWJD buttons, rings, necklaces and bracelets. ``It's popular with kids from 8 to 15 and is something that parents don't mind buying them,'' she said.

The chain store also sells rhinestone crosses on earrings and necklaces, necklaces with tiny metal tablets featuring the Ten Commandments and temporary tattoos with religious icons - such as crowns of thorns - to wear around the ankle or wrist.

Nonbelievers pray the trend will soon be over.

CAPTION(S):

8 Photos

PHOTO (1) Madonna/Madonna resin pin by Pinheads is $10 in the Unemployed Philosopher's Guild catalog. To order, call [phone].

(2) Dolce & Gabbana's spring collection includes numerous variations on the Madonna, including this black-and-white photo print.

Myung J. Chun/Daily News

(3 -- color) Los Angeles designer Josephine Loka's Divinity collection includes the face of the Madonna on a sheer top, $120, available in May at Barneys, Fred Segal and American Rag stores. Also pictured on the cover.

Myung J. Chun/Daily News

(4 -- color) Religious icons with cartoon cache by Gaultier, $865, at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills.

Gus Ruelas/Daily

(5 -- color) Madonna maven Joanne Chae added a tube top and cross to her religious icon skirt from Shauna Stein in the Beverly Center.

Gus Ruelas/Daily News

(6 -- color) Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana have an entire collection of jeweled Madonna and child designs for spring, including purses. Shown here, a chiffon skirt, $3,730, available at Shauna Stein in the Beverly Center.

(7 -- color) Mesh tops are hot for spring, especially when they've got ethereal images, such as this Jean-Paul Gaultier design, $245, from Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills.

Myung J. Chun/Daily News

(8 -- color -- cover) Divine designs

Myung J. Chun/Daily News