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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
