Corteiz Rules The World (CRTZ) is a London-based streetwear brand founded in 2017 by British-Nigerian entrepreneur Clint Ogbenna, professionally known as Clint 419.[1] The brand's logo features the Alcatraz the former prison island. The clothes also feature the tagline "Rules The World".
| Product type | Apparel |
|---|---|
| Owner | Clint 419 |
| Country | London |
| Tagline | Rules The World |
History
editCorteiz was founded in 2017. It first launched a limited collection of screen-printed t-shirts and crewnecks featuring the Alcatraz logo.[2] The logo is symbolic of the brands main message which is rebellion against convention.[3] The brand has since then expanded its product offering including tracksuits, shoes and bags. Corteiz has a private Instagram account and a website that is only accessible using a password.[4]
Corteiz is known for its use of guerilla marketing strategies.[5] In 2021, Corteiz launched their tshirt in Soho. Customers would exchange their metro tickets for the limited Corteiz Tshirt.[6]
In 2022, the brand launched 'Da Great Bolo Exchange'. The brand's founder Clint via Twitter (now X) invited Corteiz customers to swap their jackets from high-end brands such as The North Face, Moncler, Supreme, Canada Goose, Stüssy, Arc'teryx and Palace, for the new Corteiz Bolo jacket. The jackets collected were donated to the homeless.[7]
In 2022, Corteiz held the '99p Market Stall' pop-up to sell their new cargos for 99 pence.[8] The requirement was that customers show up with exactly 99p and no change would be given. Over two thousand people show up to the location.[9]
In 2024, Corteiz launched the 'DA GREAT DENIM EXCHANGE' in New York. The brand invited customer to exchange their jeans from brands like Levi’s 501s, True Religion, Carhartt jeans and Carpenters, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Supreme, Stüssy, Palace, and AMIRI for the denim corteiz jeans. Only 250 pieces of the Corteiz denim were available for exchange.[10][11]
In 2021, Nike sued Corteiz and the owner Clint. The lawsuit was because the brand's name was similar to the Nike Cortez sneaker. Clint was ordered to pay £1,850 GBP.[12] In 2023 however, two brands collaborated on a sneaker release.[13]
Collaborations
editIn 2023, Corteiz collaborated with Nike to release the Nike Air Max 95. The sneaker was released in three colorways, Gutta Green, Pink Beam and Aegean Storm, which were exclusively released in London, New York and Paris.[14]
That same year, Corteiz joined forces with the streetwear brand Supreme to launch a collection of t-shirts and hoodies.[15]
Awards and nominations
editCorteiz was nominated for the 2023 Fashion Awards under the New Establishment – Menswear category.[16]
References
edit- ^ BoF. "Clint 419". BoF. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ NSS. "The inevitable rise of Corteiz, the brand that is rewriting the rules of the game". NSS Magazine. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Halil, Tarik. "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: THE METEORIC RISE OF CORTEIZ". CULTED. CULTED. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Finamore, Emma. "Drapers 30 Under 30 2024: Clint Ogbenna, founder, Corteiz". Drapers. Drapers. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Adimora, Makua. "HOW CORTEIZ IS REDEFINING STREETWEAR CULTURE IN THE UK". Native. Native Mag. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Gurmen, Isil. "Non-Conformist Fashion by Corteiz". The Next Cartel. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Stella. "'DA GREAT BOLO EXCHANGE' PROVES CORTEIZ DOES RULETHEWORLD". culted.com. Culted. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Cox, Ollie. "The Cult of Corteiz". Culted. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ Takanashi, Lei. "Everything About Corteiz: The UK Streetwear Brand Co-Signed by Nike, Drake, Central Cee, and More". COMPLEX. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ Woods, Thomas. "Corteiz Get Busy & Go Viral with New "GREAT DENIM EXCHANGE"". PAUSE. PAUSE. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Coley, Jordan. "Inside Corteiz's Frenzied Brooklyn Denim Exchange". GQ. GQ. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Cheung, Adam. "The Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 is the unlikeliest collab in recent memory". GQ. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Belle, Leonie. "NIKE X CORTEIZ – BIGGEST BRAND COLLAB OF THE YEAR? [@CRTZRTW]". GUAP MAGAZINE. GUAP MAGAZINE. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Cheung, Adam. "The big Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 restock is actually happening". GQ. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Cheung, Adam. "The Corteiz x Supreme collab has officially landed". GQ. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Ahluwalia, Navi. "HERE ARE THE BIGGEST WINNERS OF THE 2023 FASHION AWARDS". hypebae. hypebae. Retrieved 16 May 2024.