THE BRIGHT BRIGADE\Color, color everywhere - and many a look to explore.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Staff Writer

Technicolor trends are just around the corner.

If that makes you want to use the B-words (black or beige), don't worry; you'll still find plenty of neutrals on the racks. This spring, think of those basics as backdrops for the new, color-crazy designs that are spare of line but loaded with chroma.

International fashion trend reporter Marylou Luther calls it a dynamite season with an explosion of color, and she says the color is intensified by natural fabrics such as satin and shantung silk, as well as that old '70s fave, polyester.

Even Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, high priestess of the black fashion statement, is designing in color. She calls her collection a rainbow revolution filled with positive energy that since has overflowed into other European design houses as well, from Valentino to Gaultier.

Not quite ready for a skintight aqua suit with zip-up jacket, or for a neon yellow hip-hugging rubber sarong with matching bra top?

Take Chanel's idea instead, all-American khakis with a nubby pink jacket and snappy black-and-white shoes. Another colorful option is a classic white sheath with purple sandals and a lime green purse.

And never underestimate the graphic power of black-and-white, especially with a pair of red-patent pumps and sunglasses.

We're talking over-the-top color for spring, with an emphasis on bold monochromatic statements. But juicy fruit-punch shades like orange and lime to be mixed and matched are equally hot. Hey, there are even pastels like peach and lilac this season, so nobody has to be a wallflower.

The clothes are young at heart, often designed for thin thighs and firm abs, well-stocked in junior stores such as Rampage, Wet Seal, Contempo Casuals and Express. But the big-league designers have gone over the rainbow, too.

For example, Ralph Lauren, long known for conservative classics such as crested navy blue blazers, has joined the bright brigade with orange leather jeans and an assortment of slinky evening gowns cut on the bias in lime, lilac, aqua and watermelon.

Rainbow lovers such as Todd Oldham and Isaac Mizrahi have always played with crayons, but never like this. Oldham's new collection includes a paint-chip patchwork of color that probably will inspire knockoffs by summer, while Mizrahi is thinking purity of color and line in raw silks with matching jackets for his new lower-priced Isc collection, which debuts Saturday at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills.

Calvin Klein continues to reign as the king of minimalism, but even Klein has tweaked his slim, satin Jackie-O designs with more color and added shoes and handbags to match. Anne Klein II, which is back in department stores after a short hiatus, has a juicy green and lilac salute to Katharine Hepburn with classy trousers and loose, belted jackets. And not to be missed are the company's new line of shoes, including red-patent sandals with wedge heels like those worn in the '40s and '70s.

Bright white shoes and bags tried sneaking into the fashion picture last spring but never made it. This year, you'll feel more comfortable in them, especially if the shoe's a loafer with a metal harness trim and the bag has a bamboo handle.

All of this color will overwhelm those dainty jewels you wore last year, so start thinking big and chunky when you're looking at costume jewelry. It's not supposed to look real, and it's most likely going to be silver instead of gold.

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Photo (1--Cover--Color) Red and white daisy-print shift from Express, priced at $69. Wear it with nude stockings, strappy-sandals and pale nails. (2--Color) Hawaiian prints and halters, like this junior style from Girl Star, make a comeback for spring. (3--Color) Fresh ideas from Ralph Lauren include orange leather jeans. (4--Color) Cocktail rings with chunky stones by Apropo are sparking interest. This one's at Barneys in Beverly Hills. (5--Color) Coach bags are still big for spring, especially in pale green. (6--Color) Fresh as a daisy is this pin from Apropo at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. (7--Color) Turquoise turns up the volume, especially with a hipster skirt from Express. Pair it with pastel Hush Puppies at Nordstrom. (8--Color) True-blue fashion fans will step lively in these Gucci lizard pumps with toe appeal. (9--Color) Simple sheaths call for bright color like this design by Isaac Mizrahi at Saks in Beverly Hills. (10--Color) Equally bright on the fashion scene is this black-and-white statement from Wild Cherry in junior stores.