China-inspired couture on Met Gala red carpet

NEW YORK (AP) — Anna Wintour wore an orange and red floral couture look from Chanel as she walked up the grand staircase at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to kick off the gala that raises millions for her museum namesake: the Anna Wintour Costume Center.

This year's inspiration is the massive Met exhibition "China: Through the Looking Glass," a lavish look at fashion from the East through the ages, though not all of the famous multitudes who attend the gala chase the theme each year.

Wintour, the Vogue chief and doyenne of the fashion industry, did with poppy ruffles at the shoulders. She was followed on the red carpet by the stunning Chinese 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.

Kim Kardashian most certainly embraced the evening's vibe — in a revealing, low-cut gown with an East motif done by Peter Dundas for Roberto Cavalli, the designer's first for the house. Little sis Kendall Jenner opted for Calvin Klein, sparkling in green with sexy laces on each side.

Sarah Jessica Parker, who made a splash on the red carpet last year in a custom Oscar de la Renta, donned a fiery head piece with long side tassels that towered high above her black, one-shoulder gown with a long flower-adorned train. There was quilting down one side that separated into a high slit.

Also fiery: Jennifer Lopez in a jaw-dropping red Versace with side panels that left little to the imagination.

Anne Hathaway shimmered in a sleek hooded body-skimmer from Ralph Lauren in keeping with the theme, which was muddled if not completely lost in the beaded top and sheer blush pants worn by Diane Kruger, who tucked a flower behind one ear.

Katie Holmes, in a temporary bob, took Zac Posen's arm in one of his designs, a sparkly blue gown with cutouts at the back.

From Balmain, Justin Bieber showed up in a black jacket slithering with gold dragons. A bird of paradise adorned the bottom of Dianna Agron's one-shoulder Tory Burch gown.

Late arrival Rihanna shut it down in a mustard yellow dress with a train. Winning.