ERIN IS HUMAN, HER DRESS DIVINE.

The woman who went up against utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric to help her firm and the people of Hinckley win a $333 million lawsuit was taken aback Sunday by the spectacle of Hollywood.

``Weird. Overwhelming beyond description ... a Cinderella feeling ... but really scary.''

That's how Erin Brockovich described her entry into Hollywood's elite circle at the 58th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. The director of environmental research at the Westlake Village law firm of Masry & Vititoe was invited to the banquet after Julia Roberts, the star of Universal's movie ``Erin Brockovich,'' won a Golden Globe for best actress.

The real Brockovich says the most frightening part of the evening was the walk down the red carpet lined with reporters and photographers from around the world. Although she says she was in beauty pageants in her youth, she wasn't prepared for this kind of star treatment and paparazzi attention, and she veered off the red carpet to escape to her seat inside.

``People watch the awards on television and think how exciting it would be, but when it actually happens it's nerve-racking, with so many people yelling at you to pose,'' she said. ``And then I was starting to feel like I'm not sure why I'm here. I mean, I know why Julia Roberts is here ... and then I see that I'm there on the same carpet with Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.''

Before the big night, Brockovich did a lot of prepping. The bustier-and- leather-skirt-loving woman tried on more than 30 gowns before deciding at almost the last minute to go to couture designer Bradley Bayou in Beverly Hills for help.

Bayou, who's designed for many Hollywood celebs including Halle Berry, Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayek, Cindy Crawford and Debra Messing, says Brockovich was refreshing and definitely not a prima donna.

``She came on Friday all by herself - without the usual Hollywood entourage - and made it clear she didn't want a free ride. She wanted to pay for her gown,'' says Bayou, whose gowns start at $5,000 and quickly skyrocket. In order to have the gown ready by Sunday morning, he and his staff worked for 48 hours straight - but the dress was a hit with Brockovich.

``It's my first chiffon dress!'' Brockovich said of the royal blue iridescent gown that dipped in the front, gathered at the side and draped in the back, accented with a diamond pendant in platinum and three diamond bracelets designed by Michael Beaudry for Forester & Co.

While on the red carpet, Brockovich had a chance to check out other stars and their dresses, commenting she would have been mortified had people been able to see through her dress, referring to the one worn by actress Bai Ling.

When she saw Charlize Theron in her Christina Perrin gown, she exclaimed, ``Damn, I wish I'd worn that ... and had her body!''

But it was Julia Roberts, who won a Golden Globe that night for her portrayal of Brockovich in the hit film, who took her breath away.

``Julia is so tasteful, so elegant and perfect,'' Brockovich said. ``She's the greatest beauty of all.''

Like Cinderella, Brockovich was home soon after the clock struck midnight and went to work the next morning, as usual, she said.

Would she do it all again? You bet. She's hoping the film and Roberts are nominated for Oscars - and that she'll get an invitation in the mail.

- Barbara De Witt 

Hey, knock it off!

Four days after the Golden Globes - when most of us are still buzzing about who wore what - Los Angeles designer Allen Schwartz of ABS has already created a knock-off of his favorite gowns for fans who can't afford designer prices.

At the top of his list is that fab black-and-white striped gown by Ralph Lauren that Debra Messing of NBC's ``Will & Grace'' wore to the Globes. ``I loved it and, as we speak, it's being shown at Nordstrom (corporate headquarters) in Seattle,'' says Schwartz.

His second-favorite gown in Sunday's red carpet parade was worn by Jennifer Lopez, who is soon to be seen in ``The Wedding Planner.'' Schwartz describes her short Grecian-inspired design by Valentino as ``incredible, simple and elegant,'' and plans to offer it in champagne and black.

``ER's'' Michael Michele was another stunner at the Globes, and the knock-off king couldn't resist making it the same color combo of lilac satin and brown matte jersey.

The designer commented that, if Michael Michele's gown was his third- favorite, then Sarah Jessica Parker's pale pink design was his fourth choice and he plans on making it in pink, white and lots of other colors.

Other Golden Globe gown replicas to hit department stores by March - all priced under $300 each - include Julia Roberts' Armani gown in a choice of navy, red or black; Nicole Kidman's in black and red; and Mary Steenburgen's dress in both champagne and black.

With so many eye-catching designs worn by so many celebs, Schwartz says he simply can't copy them all. Some, like the gowns worn by Sandra Bullock and Renee Zellweger, looked too much like others in his ABS collection, while others, such as Charlize Theron's, might be too difficult to knock off.

And then there were those designs he hated. At the top of that list was the turquoise Christian Lacroix gown worn by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Not one to mince words, Schwartz commented, ``It was the ugliest dress of the evening on the most beautiful girl in the world.''

Meanwhile, he's still waiting to get a photo of Madonna's wedding gown. No matter what it looks like, he knows it will be a big seller.

- Barbara DeWitt

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) no caption (ERIN BROCKOVICH)

Associated Press

(2 -- 4 -- color) Dresses receiving the knockoff treatment by Allen Schwartz of ABS include the black-and-white striped number worn by ``Wil & Grace's'' Debra Messing, above, Mary Steenburgen's elegant champagne gown, left, and the lilac satin and brown matte jersey creation worn by Michael Michele of ``ER,'' far left.

Photos by Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer