Events & AwardsMar 18, 2025
Fink’s Jewelers Is Now a Regional Emmy WinnerEvents & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ Award
Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
PDPaola’s CEO of North America Jason McNary accepted the Fine Jewelry Award on behalf of co-founder and creative director Paola Sasplugas.
New York—Fashion Group International (FGI) presented its Fine Jewelry Award to Paola Sasplugas at the annual “Rising Star” award ceremony on April 16.
Sasplugas is the co-founder and creative director of PDPaola, a jewelry brand based in Barcelona.
Finalists in the fine jewelry category were Julie Kim of Bijules, Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z Jewelry, and Isabel Calvert of Sette Jewelry.
While Sasplugas was not able to attend the ceremony, the brand’s CEO of North America Jason McNary was there to accept the award on her behalf.
“To be recognized among such visionary talented designers like Tory Burch, Phillip Lim, and Jason Wu is both humbling and inspiring. This moment reflects the creative vision and relentless passion that Paola pours into the brand, and the bold spirit we bring to the U.S. market every day. We’re just getting started!,” said McNary.
In a statement, Sasplugas said, “It’s rare to stop and take it all in—but this recognition gave me that moment. I’m grateful for the journey, the people building it with me, and the change to keep pushing boundaries. This is only the beginning.”
The event, which occurred in New York City last week, was hosted by actress Tiffany Haddish. It is not only a gathering of leading designers, executives, and tastemakers, but an awards ceremony that recognizes emerging talent in fashion, beauty, and other related sectors.
Related stories will be right here …
Sasplugas is the co-founder and creative director of PDPaola, a jewelry brand based in Barcelona.
Finalists in the fine jewelry category were Julie Kim of Bijules, Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z Jewelry, and Isabel Calvert of Sette Jewelry.
While Sasplugas was not able to attend the ceremony, the brand’s CEO of North America Jason McNary was there to accept the award on her behalf.
“To be recognized among such visionary talented designers like Tory Burch, Phillip Lim, and Jason Wu is both humbling and inspiring. This moment reflects the creative vision and relentless passion that Paola pours into the brand, and the bold spirit we bring to the U.S. market every day. We’re just getting started!,” said McNary.
In a statement, Sasplugas said, “It’s rare to stop and take it all in—but this recognition gave me that moment. I’m grateful for the journey, the people building it with me, and the change to keep pushing boundaries. This is only the beginning.”
The event, which occurred in New York City last week, was hosted by actress Tiffany Haddish. It is not only a gathering of leading designers, executives, and tastemakers, but an awards ceremony that recognizes emerging talent in fashion, beauty, and other related sectors.
PDPaola is known for its “jewelry for urbanites who embrace sophistication, quality, and design,” the brand said.
Sasplugas founded PDPaola alongside her brother Humbert Sasplugas in 2015. Since then, the brand has been stocked in more than 60 stores, from flagship locations to retail partners in cities across Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and more.
The brand has been expanding in the United States as well, with a flagship that opened in New York City last year. PDPaola also said it has plans to open new points of sale this year.
PDPaola featured actress Kelly Rutherford as the face of its fine jewelry collection that debuted on April 1. It features pieces in 18-karat gold with graduating lab-grown diamonds.
The demi-fine “La Perla” collection debuted on April 22 with this “La Perla” necklace in 18-karat gold-plated silver with cultured pearls ($290).
Earlier this month, PDPaola debuted a new fine jewelry collection with a campaign featuring actress Kelly Rutherford.
The campaign showcases Rutherford in its fine jewelry collection, available in 18-karat yellow and white gold set with lab-grown diamond pieces, alongside swan imagery.
Swans were chosen as inspiration for the collection as their natural elegance gave the pieces grace, beauty, and authenticity, said the brand.
A demi-fine jewelry collection also released Tuesday, titled “La Perla.” It uses 18-karat yellow gold-plated silver with cultured pearls.
The fine jewelry collection is available on this page of the PDPaola website, and the La Perla collection is available on this page.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
