Veuve Clicquot: Bold Women merging heritage with vision

On the Guardian Life cover this week, Veuve Clicquot spotlights Rewa and Florentina Agu, two Bold Women who blend tradition and foresight, inspiring the next generation of leaders

REWA

When Rewa’s name was announced as the winner of the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, waves of emotions surged through her. Disbelief hit first, sweeping over her like an unexpected tide. Then came the swell of shock, rising rapidly, leaving her breathless. As the reality of the moment settled, the final wave—tears—gently washed over her, carrying a deep sense of accomplishment and gratitude in its wake.

“Gratitude, not just for the recognition, but for the entire journey that brought me to that moment. I thought about the years of hard work, the late nights, and the numerous challenges that shaped me,” she says.

Bold Woman, Bold Leadership

Rewa is a financial services professional with over 15 years of experience in banking, insurance, wealth management, and private equity in Africa and Europe. Before joining Chapel Hill Denham, she founded Cranstoun Corporation, a Financial Services Commission-regulated fund providing African investors with access to global capital markets. She also served as Group Head of Corporate Development at Brainworks Capital, now Arden Capital, where she played a key role in listing the company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 2017. Before that, she was the Strategy Manager at Old Mutual West Africa, working across Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.

Rewa founded Cranstoun with a vision to challenge the status quo and empower African investors by giving them access to global capital markets. She saw firsthand the disparity between African markets and the global financial landscape, and Cranstoun was her way of levelling the playing field. Rewa’s mission was not only to provide financial opportunities but to also reshape the narrative around African capital. “I wanted to reposition African investors as significant contributors to the global market, not merely recipients of investment,” she explains. Her goal was to shift perceptions of African financial power and build a more inclusive and interconnected financial system.

Rewa believes bold and innovative leadership is key to driving this transformation. In her view, it takes more than financial expertise to overcome the hurdles African investors face—it requires vision, creativity, and the courage to challenge traditional models of investment. “Leaders in this space must recognize the untapped potential within African economies,” she asserts, emphasizing the need for new financial products, strategic partnerships, and the use of cutting-edge technology to create pathways for African investors. By doing so, Rewa aims to position African investors as pivotal players in the global economy, ultimately shifting perceptions of African financial influence.

A Work of African Art

Where many struggle to thrive in one career, Rewa has excelled in two. Rewa is also a globally celebrated visual artist. Her heritage-inspired art has been showcased at fairs, museums, and galleries worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Notable exhibitions of her work have taken place at ReLe Gallery in Lagos, London’s Gallery of African Art (GAFRA), the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) in New York, Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, Jonathan Ferrara Gallery and the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans (CACNO), the Nigerian National Museum, Band of Vices Gallery in Los Angeles, and DeBuck and Urban Zen Galleries in New York, as well as Out of Africa Gallery in Barcelona.

Rewa sees herself as both a visual artist and a historian, dedicated to preserving and promoting African culture. Her work challenges colonial narratives and celebrates African identity in all its complexity. A key moment in her career was her solo exhibition, Women of the Elephant Tusk: ndi otu odu, which paid tribute to the strength, wisdom, and resilience of Igbo women. Through this exhibition, Rewa sought to reclaim African histories and ensure that these stories are told authentically by those who live them.

Rewa’s artistic journey has reached new heights with her recent commission to design the poster for the 2025 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival. As the first African artist to take on this role since the carnival’s inception, she sees it as an opportunity to elevate African art on a global stage.

The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award celebrates women who inspire others through innovation and leadership. Rewa emphasized the importance of a key mindset shift: embracing the idea that success in one area can fuel growth in another. “I stopped buying into the notion that I had to choose between my passions,” the 2024 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award winner says. “The strategic thinking and discipline I apply in finance inform my approach to art, while the creativity and innovation in my art practice feed back into my work in finance, allowing me to approach problems with fresh perspectives.”

If younger Rewa had known what she knows now, she would have embraced boldness earlier, taking risks with more confidence and stepping outside her comfort zone sooner. She’s learned that boldness isn’t about avoiding failure, but about growing from it and realizing that there’s always a safety net, even in the most daunting situations. “Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need,” she would tell her younger self—whether it’s guidance, opportunities, or mentorship.

At the heart of her vibrant, multifaceted life is her son, who remains her anchor amidst a dynamic career. Weekends are reserved for adventures together, moments that ground her and bring joy. Whether creating art, empowering others, or indulging in pink cake and champagne with friends, Rewa finds balance by fully embracing each aspect of her life. “Life is for the living,” she says, embodying the same boldness in her personal life as she does in her career, with a focus on living authentically and joyfully.

At the core of Rewa’s journey is a powerful message for women: be bold, trust your instincts, and embrace your authenticity, no matter the setting. She believes that innovation and leadership come from staying true to oneself, and her career is a testament to the strength that comes from daring to be different. “You don’t need permission to take up space, to lead, or to innovate,” she says.

FLORENTINA AGU

When Florentina Agu took up sewing at the age of 13, little did she know she was weaving a dream that would one day turn into an internationally recognized fashion brand. Now the founder of Hertunba and the 2024 recipient of the Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award, Florentina’s journey is one of resilience, cultural pride, and unwavering determination. She is shaping the future of African fashion by weaving the past into the present, creating designs that are both timeless and socially conscious.

Encouraged by her family’s encouragement to develop practical skills, she took up sewing, finding joy in the rhythmic movement of fabric under her hands. But it wasn’t just the craft that intrigued her; she had a knack for associating the colours of her teachers’ outfits with academic lessons, turning fashion into a medium for learning. This playful use of design would later become a serious endeavour, one that bridged her love for aesthetics with a deep connection to her cultural roots.

Hertunba

Her first taste of entrepreneurship came not in fashion, but in the bustling Nigerian markets, where she and her brother sold curry weeds. This early business venture laid the foundation for what would become a career marked by innovation and leadership. Florentina’s university years at the University of Port Harcourt were equally formative. Not only did she launch a successful event planning business that helped fund her education and her siblings’ studies, but she also became the faculty president, learning the complexities of leadership and decision-making. These experiences would prove invaluable as she transitioned from events to fashion, eventually founding Hertunba in 2020.

The name Hertunba, a blend of “Her” and the Yoruba chieftaincy title “Otunba,” speaks volumes about Florentina’s vision: to create a brand that honours the power, strength, and dignity of African women. “I wanted to create fashion that not only looks good but makes women of all ages and sizes feel good too,” Florentina shares. “And I wanted these designs to strongly represent our Nigerian roots.”

Sustainability Isn’t a Buzzword

Hertunba fills a crucial gap in the fashion industry by offering modern, sustainable designs that are deeply connected to African heritage. Florentina’s commitment to sustainability is woven into every thread of her brand’s operations. From zero-waste patternmaking to the use of upcycled materials, Hertunba proves that fashion can be both high-quality and environmentally responsible. “Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us,” Florentina says. “It’s an integral part of who we are. Our small-batch production model ensures that we minimize waste while crafting garments with intention and care.”

Florentina’s ability to seamlessly blend traditional African artistry with contemporary fashion has set her apart in the industry. She works closely with local artisans, incorporating their techniques and insights into her designs to ensure the cultural integrity of her work. “I strive to modernize traditional elements by reimagining classic patterns or motifs in ways that resonate with today’s consumers while keeping the essence of the original art form intact,” she explains. The result is a collection of pieces that are as relevant to modern fashion sensibilities as they are respectful of the cultural stories they represent.

But Florentina’s vision for Hertunba extends beyond fashion; it is a vehicle for cultural elevation. “Fashion plays a crucial role in cultural identity,” she says. “It’s a medium for self-expression and storytelling, allowing individuals to connect with their roots while also engaging with the world around them.” Through Hertunba, she hopes to elevate African heritage by introducing it to a global audience in a way that feels modern yet honours its origins.

Your Voice is Powerful

Florentina emphasizes the importance of trusting one’s unique perspective and experiences for young women aspiring to the fashion industry or entrepreneurship. “Your voice is powerful, and it has the potential to drive change,” the 2024 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award winner says. She highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive, like-minded individuals, noting that collaboration and community can foster creativity and provide a strong support system. In a rapidly changing industry, she advises staying grounded in one’s values and mission, as this will guide decision-making and help in building a brand to be proud of.

Florentina swears by the power of affirmations, beginning each day with affirmative prayers that help her reconnect with God and maintain focus amidst her busy commitments. Additionally, she cites Bill Gates’s “Business at the Speed of Thought” as a significant source of inspiration. The insights from the book continue to resonate with her, motivating her as she navigates her entrepreneurial journey.

Florentina’s journey is a testament to the power of merging purpose with passion, a unique quality of the Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award winners. Hertunba is not just a brand; it’s a statement—a bold assertion that African heritage has a place on the global stage, and Florentina Agu is here to make sure it glows.