Holiday parties are the perfect time to break out the glitter and girliness, and Michelle Smith, the founder of the fashion label Milly, is just the lady to show us how to do festive dressing.

Smith started Milly in 2000, after studying in Paris and working in New York's Garment District. Her designs incorporate sophisticated lines and luxury fabrics but exhibit an easy American sportswear sensibility, accomplished through playful embellishments and fun interpretations of classic shapes.

And if you need evidence that the designer knows how to have a good time, you only have to check out her Instagram account, @millybymichelle.

What advice do you have for holiday dressing?

Since your coat is the first thing everyone sees, I like to invest in a statement coat in a gorgeous look-at-me color or with some kind of special detail, whether it's a fur or a sequin collar. It instantly completes every holiday party look but it also elevates everything else you wear during the season-even jeans and a sweater on the weekend. This is always the first thing I buy every holiday season; it goes the distance.

What is your favorite party outfit?

I design Milly to be feminine with an edge, using really luxurious fabrics and interesting silhouettes. I am in love with cascading silhouettes for the holiday season. I like the look of a sculptural cocktail dress like my Ruffle Duchess satin sheath dress or the Milly tuck pleat ball skirt or colorblock melton wool skirt with a matching crop top, a gorgeous pair of heels and a statement coat.

What's the best party you've attended-recently or ever?

When I was starting out, I went to design school and held internships in Paris, where I attended some of the best parties of my life-unbelievable, fantastical parties. That was before Instagram unfortunately!

I like to have friends over for cocktails before we head out to a party. I'm looking forward to The Whitney Art party downtown.

What were you thinking about when designing this season?

I was influenced by the idea of postmodernism, so all of the silhouettes are very geometric and sculptural. The colors are super saturated. I got really creative with fabrics-I made a lot of my own fabrics this season which I love to do.

You always look so great. Do you have any advice for developing a personal style?

Thank you! I'm blushing! I'm lucky because I get to design Milly to be like my personal closet. My advice is to dress to flatter your body type, that's the most important thing. Accessories add a lot of personality-a beautiful handbag or pair of shoes. Another thing I always think about is quality over quantity. I'd rather have something I really love that I wear lots of different ways than having lots of pieces I never wear because I don't really like them.

You studied fashion in both New York and Paris. What did each city have to teach you about fashion and design?

In Paris, I learned about luxury, tradition and distinctive French atelier techniques. I studied at ESMOD and held internships at Hermes, Christian Dior Haute Couture and Louis Vuitton. I was like a sponge, soaking it all in, and it made me want to start Milly, a young luxury brand, in New York.

In New York, personal style was celebrated, so I learned to have my own point of view. I worked in the Garment District where I learned the ins and outs of business-that helped me gain the confidence to start my own brand. Both experiences were invaluable.

What is your favorite fashion quote?

I like to make up my own sayings-I started putting them on Milly t-shirts and it turns out other people like them too because we can barely keep them in stock. My favorite right now is "No One Remembers Normal." It's part of a capsule I did with my friend and SoulCycle instructor Stacey G.

-Britt Olson