A LIFE OF INTENTION

After creating deep connections in Paris, London, and Abu Dhabi, Catherine Sarr now calls Hinsdale home for her family and her Almasika jewelry boutique.

One of the great joys of any trip to Paris is wandering down arcades and up stairwells in search of special treasures. Jewelry designer and patron of the arts Catherine Sarr has brought a touch of that magic to her newest Almasika boutique and showroom on Hinsdale Avenue.

Born in the Champagne region of France and raised between her hometown and Paris, Catherine has since lived and worked on three continents. Her path has taken her from Paris and London—where she met her husband—to Abu Dhabi, Chicago, and now Hinsdale. Her children inspired the move, asking their jetsetter parents for the quintessential American school experience.

After exploring other communities, Hinsdale won their hearts and now it’s home. “It feels wonderful to put the suitcases down. We’ve made a real commitment to building a life here,” Catherine says. They are members at Hinsdale Golf Club, where Catherine enjoys hearing the stories of multigenerational Hinsdale families. “I hope people know how lucky they are to have these traditions,” she says, adding, “It’s delightful to learn that a grandmother, then the mother, and now a daughter is growing up in the same schools and activities.”

“Chris Pequet really welcomed us, and the village mentality was apparent. It reminds me of where I grew up in the Champagne region. It’s a similar quiet life, just thousands of miles away.”

It’s no coincidence that Catherine appreciates these generational tales. A hallmark of the Almasika collection is embracing global traditions to create sculptural jewelry rooted in the universal symbols and stories spanning generations and cultures. “I’m always looking for what we have in common with others,” she says.

Hinsdale has embraced Catherine and her exquisite jewelry collection. “We had a wonderful opening packed with Hinsdaleans and feel quite welcomed to the community,” Catherine says.

She believes her timeless pieces speak to the sophisticated collectors who live in the area. Her design approach is understated in look and silhouette, every piece tells a story, and she is devoted to honoring the cultural craftspeople with whom she works. This informed approach creates truly special pieces meant to be worn, loved, and passed down to future generations.

“Jewelry is one of the fastest-growing categories in luxury, and what excites me most is how customers are becoming more discerning. They care about where things come from, how they are made, and what they mean. As the founder of a fine jewelry brand rooted in cultural connection and craftsmanship, it is encouraging to see a growing appreciation for thoughtful design that carry intention and speak to something deeper than trend.”

Brands like Louis Vuitton relied on Catherine’s knowledge, taste, and sense of style as she guided strategy, design, and public relations. After years in the luxury and diamond industries, including at De Beers Group, she launched Almasika to create jewelry that speaks to a shared human story. Her pieces have been worn by former First Lady Michelle Obama, Alicia Keys, Priyanka Chopra, and Reese Witherspoon, and are stocked at leading retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, net-a-porter, Moda Operandi, and Neiman Marcus.

A civic-minded cultural advocate, Catherine and her husband, Mamadou-Abou Sarr, co-founded the Prix Sarr at Beaux-Arts de Paris. She was named Chevalier (Knight) de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture. Catherine has been a speaker at Art Basel, awarded the Dorchester Industries Experimental Design Lab by Miuccia Prada, serves on high-profile international art boards, and is a part of high-profile gallery and auction house exhibits around the world.

She and her husband are influential in the international art scene and collectors themselves. The couple have established the Sarr Art Prize, which awards three students at the Beaux-Arts de Paris Euros for their studies and living expenses, and one winner also receives a one-month residency at the Villa Albertine in Chicago. “It’s a link between the two worlds,” Catherine says.

A visit to the Almasika boutique offers not just the chance to view the jewelry, but also pieces from their art collection, objects by French artisans, and an utterly charming mural of Paris Catherine commissioned a Parisian artist living in Chicago to paint. It is the most relaxing and inspiring space and a unique shopping experience. Appointments are available, and the boutique will be open on Saturdays in December and during the Hinsdale Christmas Walk on Friday, December 5.

The Sarr family celebrates the holidays as a family by visiting Paris or hosting family here in the U.S. On either side of the Atlantic, these weeks at the end of the year are for togetherness and appreciation. Of course, with her incredible eye and ability to translate art and culture, there might be the beginnings of a new collection in some part of the celebrations.

Catherine’s elegant demeanor is that of someone honored throughout the world, but really just getting started. Her vision of luxury is an incredible addition to our community and the Chicago art, fashion, and design scenes. How lucky we are to have this global brand and the genius behind it based here.

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