David Spada was a jewelry designer in New York City in the 1980s and 1990s. David was the creator and marketer of Freedom Rings. He began making jewelry as a student at Parson's School of Design in New York City, and his works were recognized as early as 1984, when a piece made from orange rubber tubing was highlighted in the New York Times. David eventually opened a boutique, Casa di Spada, in New York's Lower East Side, which sold his jewelry designs, clothing and custom items.

Independently and with his close friend's Andy Warhol, and Keith Haring, Spada designed and fabricated several costumes, headdresses and accessories for Grace Jones that were worn by her in performances. Some of these pieces are documented in photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe.

Spada collaborated with designer Patrick Kelly on a jewelry line for Kelly's 1986 collection. He also worked with Kelly on one of Kelly's most famous couture works, a 1986 Josephine Baker-inspired banana skirt and spiral bra top originally modeled by Pat Cleveland, now in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

In 1991, Spada developed Freedom Rings he was 30 years old. The set consists of six aluminum rings in colors based on the LGBTQ+ pride flag that he described as symbolizing happiness and representing the diversity of the gay community. He hoped that both straight and gay people would wear the rings as a "universal 'pro-tolerance' statement." In June 1992, several of MTV's on-air hosts wore Freedom Rings in recognition of gay pride month, elevating their visibility. Also in 1992, Freedom Rings were featured in the first gay-specific Absolut Vodka ad, entitled Absolut Spada. Other clients consisted of Brooke Shields, Rose-Ann Barr, and Princess Diana can be seen on the cover of Vogue wearing his ever so simply yet beautiful bracelet during his glow era.