THE HYPE DRESSED TO KILL GIVING FILMS' COSTUME DESIGNERS CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE.

In the early days of the Academy Awards, there wasn't an Oscar given for best costume, so in 1953 the Costume Designers Guild was formed to honor their own.

At the guild's awards ceremony held Sunday at the Beverly Hills Hotel, it continued its tradition and named ``Erin Brockovich'' costume designer Jeffrey Kurland as the winner of the contemporary film category. The Hollywood-based designer said he met the real Erin Brockovich and looked at her family photos and talked with her to get her essence, but made a point not to see her clothing because he didn't want to do an exact replica.

Rita Ryack won in the fantasy film category for her costumes in ``Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas.''

Coincidentally, they're also Oscar nominees.

To see these and the other Oscar-nominated film costumes, such as those from ``Gladiator,'' up close, check out the ninth annual ``Art of Motion Picture Costume Design'' exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, 919 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. This year there's also a special exhibit of costumes worn by Debbie Reynolds in ``Singin' in the Rain'' and others from her personal collection, plus a gallery featuring costumes worn by Marilyn Monroe in ``Let's Make Love,'' ``There's No Business Like Show Business,'' ``River of No Return,'' ``Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'' and ``Bus Stop.''

The exhibit is free and continues through May 4. For more information, call [phone].

- Barbara De Witt 

The inside scoop on the big night

According to Tom Julian, trend analyst for www.oscar.com, the official Web site for the 73rd annual Academy Awards, we'll be seeing more European designers than usual on the red carpet because of more international nominees such as Dame Judi Dench and Juliette Binoche and the film ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.'' Says Julian, ``In addition to names such as Christian Dior, there is a lot of buzz about Thierry Mugler making a comeback and also newcomer Roberto Cavalli.''

So, who's wearing whose gown? That's the biggest buzz of the week, and very few designers will tell. However, we heard Randolph Duke has already done fittings for Oscar nominee Joan Allen, plus Geena Davis, Halle Berry and ``Entertainment Tonight's'' Julie Moran, who's hosting ABC's pre-Oscar special, ``Countdown to Oscar 2001.''

HAIR ALERT: We've just learned that Oscar nominee Jeff Bridges will be doing his own hair for the Academy Awards. According to his hair stylist, Susan Germaine, she's been giving him styling lessons and some of her new products to ensure he has a good hair day.

NO SWEAT!: Oscar night is an awesome event for the attendees, but for some it's a sweaty ordeal. And that's a big problem when you're in a rented tuxedo or evening gown-on-loan.

We've hard that, to stay dry, some celebrity sweat-ers (who naturally wouldn't divulge their names) have stopped in at Century Cosmetics, a medical spa in Century City, where they get botox (botulism poison) injections under the arms to neutralize sweat glands.

It takes a series of three shots for $1,200, but then you're sweat-free for about six months. For more information, call Century Cosmetics at [phone].

THAT ERIN BROCKOVICH LOOK: Cleavage is always a big deal on Oscar's red carpet but this year, with ``Erin Brockovich'' up for several awards, there's more pressure than ever to have what's known in the fashion biz as ``kissing cleavage.'' To be sure everybody looks her best on Oscar night, Frederick's of Hollywood has designed a new Liquid Dream waterbra filled with silicone and also silicone pads on the sides of the bra.

If you're hosting your own ``Oscar party,'' and want to look the part of Erin Brockovich, read on.

At Westfield Shoppingtown Topanga Plaza in Canoga Park you'll find those '80s-inspired colored tights and fishnet stockings at Nordstrom; rocker-style ankle boots at Charles David; tinted sunglasses at Express; camouflage tanks and tops at Forever 21 and wide hip-slung belts at Rampage.

- Barbara De Witt

THE JOY OF BRITNEY: Live from a Pepsi bottling plant, it's Britney Spears! Yes, the sexy pop star will make her big marketing debut on Oscar night, singing the now-familiar ``Joy of Pepsi'' jingle. Fans who can't wait to view the TV commercial during the Academy Awards can view the ad online via Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) at 3 p.m. Yahoo already has on the site behind-the-scenes footage of the commercial filming and a sweepstakes in which fans can win wardrobe and props from the shoot autographed by Spears. Those not interested in seeing Spears in yet another skimpy outfit might still consider tuning into the ad for a cameo appearance by former Sen. Bob Dole. That could be amusing.

- Daily News

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(1 -- 5) Costumes from Oscar-nominated films, including ``Gladiator'' and ``Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas,'' are part of the ninth annual ``Art of Motion Picture Costume Design'' exhibit, through May 4 at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.

(6) no caption (Britney Spears)