St. John’s Kelly Gray Will Be Blue Soon

Super-model Kelly Gray, 26, had two things to celebrate at the opening on Tuesday night of the new St. John Boutique at South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa.

“This beautiful store--our West Coast flagship--and my upcoming marriage,” Gray told friends who attended the reception that christened the 3,500-square-foot shop.

On April 17, Gray--daughter of St. John founders Marie and Bob Gray of Laguna Beach--will tie the knot with England-born musician Michael Blue, 27.

The ceremony will be held at Our Lady Queen of Angels church in Corona del Mar. “The reception for 200 will take place at my parents’ home,” she said.

As St. John’s signature print model, Gray has posed around the world for the photographs that appear in top fashion magazines. She is also the creative director for the $90-million company.

But don’t look for her in a St. John knit when she marries the man she met on a New Year’s Eve in Aspen, Colo. “I’ll wear a traditional gown,” said Gray, who sported the fashion world’s newest accessory: a ribbon choker stuck with a small brooch.

“My six bridesmaids will wear St. Johns--two-piece peach suits with satin collars and cuffs and rhinestone buttons.” The length? “Just above the knee.”

The 300-strong crowd sipped sparkling wine as they cruised the racks of the boutique. Chef Alan Greeley prepared the fare: potato tumbleweeds with caviar, Jamaican chicken on a skewer, wild mushroom and crab egg rolls, and tiger shrimp with horseradish salsa.

“I’m looking for something red and dressy,” said Nora Hester, who wore a black St. John with a Chanel-inspired camellia at the neck. Something special coming up? “There’s always something special coming up,” she said, laughing.

Opera activist Jeanette Segerstrom, who attended the gala reception with daughter Sandy Daniels, said she owns about 30 St. John outfits. “Maybe more--I’ve stopped counting. They’re wonderful for mature women like me,” she said.

Marie Gray, who founded St. John in 1962, attributes the clothing’s popularity to the fact that it can be “forgiving or sexy.”

“It all depends on the wearer, how her body looks, what she’s trying to do,” she said. “If a woman has a great figure, she can choose pieces which complement that.

“If she’s a little heavy, she can choose a piece which disguises that. I’m carrying a little extra weight right now, so I went for this longer jacket. You can’t really tell what’s under there!

“I work at designing clothes that can hide imperfections, if there are any.”

New for spring: “Black with pastels and bright colors later in the season,” Marie Gray said.

For fall: the spangled look. “Sequins on black and jewel tones. “

Also among guests were Renee and Henry Segerstrom, Billur Wallerich, Shannon Tarnutzer, Elizabeth Tierney and Jim and Sharon Henwood.

Academy Awards bash: Antonello restaurant at South Coast Plaza Village in Santa Ana will be the site of “An Evening with Oscar” on March 29. The benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is $55 per person. Call (714) 938-1393 for information.

Festivities will include dinner, a silent auction and grand prize for the person who picks the Oscar winners.