DPA Move

The Diamond Producers Association, or DPA, has appointed Kristina Buckley Kayel as its North American managing director.

Buckley Kayel previously served as vice president of communications, North America for Van Cleef & Arpels. She has also held marketing and public relations roles at Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo and Baccarat.

Beginning her new role on

Feb. 4, Buckley Kayel will be responsible for creating new marketing strategies that further the organization's

“Real is Rare” motto.

“Kristina's experience in the fine jewelry sector, along with her comprehensive communications expertise, business acumen and creativity, gives her a unique industry perspective. We are excited to have her join the Diamond Producers Association and work with us to strengthen and build upon our mission in the United States,” DPA chief executive officer Jean-Marc Lieberherr said of the hire.

The DPA was founded in 2015 by seven of the world's biggest diamond-mining organizations as an industry-saving measure. Lab-grown diamonds are on the rise and Millennials have proven averse to the diamond tradition — weary of their conflict-riddled past and high price tag. Thus, the mining companies sprung to action, looking to reingratiate themselves with younger generations.

The DPA's ‘Real is Rare' campaign was launched in 2016 with the goal to teach Millennials that natural diamonds have intrinsic value.

— MISTY WHITE SIDELL well as Sodimac and Ikea outlets in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Argentina will be fleshed out.

In 2019, Falabella will inaugurate 23 stores and two shopping malls as well as roll out a new distribution center in Peru for its white labels.

Falabella snapped up Linio for $137 million last August to boost its online presence in Argentina, Peru, Chile and Mexico, Latin America's second-largest fashion market where the firm does not have a department-store presence.

Since then, Falabella has rushed to integrate its catalogue products with

Linio's and expand its click and collect capabilities in stores and shopping malls including Mallplaza in Santiago.

Efforts have also gone into expanding mobile purchasing capabilities, introducing new apps that now reach 1.5 million customers, and toward boosting credit products including a “100 percent online” credit card for Falabella.com.

Falabella ended 2018 with 504 stores and 43 shopping malls.

— IVAN CASTANO