Actress Gong Li arrives for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala 2015 celebrating the opening of "China: Through the Looking Glass," in Manhattan, New York May 4, 2015. [Photo/SIPA]

There were also a number of Chinese celebrities in attendance, perhaps chief among them actress Gong Li, who offered a girlish tilt of her head as she waved in a deep red velvet gown with black lace and a fan design. Celebrated film director Wong Kar-wai was there as the Met exhibit's artistic director.

Sarah Jessica Parker, who was one of the unqualified hits on last year's red carpet in elegant custom Oscar de la Renta, did not disappoint this time around, appearing in a towering red headpiece that resembled fiery flames. Designed by milliner Philip Treacy, the piece bore long red tassels on each side.

Parker paired it with a one-shoulder black gown embellished with sashes comprised of bits of vintage fabric and beads from Sweden - a collaboration with H&M and the company's Conscious Collection, which focuses on sustainable fabrics.

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala 2015 celebrating the opening of "China: Through the Looking Glass" in Manhattan, New York May 4, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

"We thought it told a great story, and also gave you ideas on how you could rethink what is important in your life and ways to reuse it again," Parker said.

Parker said she'd been working on the outfit since November, after getting "piecemeal clues" from Wintour on what this year's theme might be.