Rihanna 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]

Bold and colourful designs prevailed on the red carpet at the Met Gala on May 4, where celebrities showed off their frocks for one of the biggest nights in fashion.

Madonna, Lady Gaga, Naomi Campbell and Anna Wintour were among the big names attending the annual ball at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which debuts its new exhibition "China: Through the Looking Glass".

The exhibit, which runs from May 7 to Aug 16, looks at the influence of Chinese art, imagery and culture across the ages on Western fashion.

Some paid tribute to the display. Singer Rihanna wore a long fur-trimmed, embroidered yellow cape by Chinese designer Guo Pei that swept out behind her as she walked up the steps of the Costume Institute gala.