Events & AwardsMar 18, 2025
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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.
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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.
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