{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Use British English|date=November 2025}} {{Short description|British streetwear brand}} {{Distinguish|Cortez (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox brand | name = Corteiz | currentowner = Clint "Clint 419" Ogbenna | country = United Kingdom | tagline = Rules The World | origin = United Kingdom | producttype = Apparel | website = {{URL|https://www.corteiz.com/}} | introduced = 2017 | image = 200px | caption = Corteiz Alcatraz logo and slogan |markets=Clothing, Fashion, Streetwear,}}
'''Corteiz''' or '''Corteiz Rules The World''' (CRTZRTW) is a London-based streetwear brand founded in 2017 by British-Nigerian entrepreneur Clint Ogbenna, professionally known as Clint 419.<ref>{{cite web |last1=BoF |title=Clint 419 |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/clint |website=BoF |access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref> The brand's logo features a silhouette of Alcatraz Island, and its clothing often carries the tagline "Rules The World".
== History == [[File:Corteiz Alcatraz Joggers.jpg|thumb|206x206px|Alcatraz logo seen on a pair of tracksuit bottoms]] Corteiz was founded in 2017, launching with a limited collection of screen-printed T-shirts and crewnecks featuring the Alcatraz logo.<ref>{{cite web |last1=NSS |title=The inevitable rise of Corteiz, the brand that is rewriting the rules of the game |url=https://www.nssmag.com/en/fashion/28928/corteiz-shorts-cargo-shop |website=NSS Magazine |access-date=20 April 2024}}</ref> The logo symbolises the brand’s core message of rebellion against convention.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Halil |first1=Tarik |title=CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: THE METEORIC RISE OF CORTEIZ |url=https://culted.com/catch-me-if-you-can-the-meteoric-rise-of-corteiz/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |website=CULTED |publisher=CULTED}}</ref> The brand has since expanded its product range to include tracksuits, footwear, and bags. Corteiz maintains an Instagram account and a website that is accessible only via a password released with each product drop.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Finamore |first1=Emma |title=Drapers 30 Under 30 2024: Clint Ogbenna, founder, Corteiz |url=https://www.drapersonline.com/people/30-under-30-2024/drapers-30-under-30-2024-clint-ogbenna-founder-corteiz#:~:text=The%20founder%20of%20streetwear%20label,west%20London%20bedroom%20in%202017. |website=Drapers |publisher=Drapers |access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref>
== Marketing == Corteiz is known for its use of guerrilla marketing strategies.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adimora |first1=Makua |title=HOW CORTEIZ IS REDEFINING STREETWEAR CULTURE IN THE UK |url=https://thenativemag.com/corteiz-streetwear-culture-in-the-uk/ |website=Native |publisher=Native Mag |access-date=25 April 2024}}</ref> In 2021, the brand launched a T-shirt in Soho, where customers could exchange their metro tickets for the limited item.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Gurmen |first1=Isil |title=Non-Conformist Fashion by Corteiz |url=https://thenextcartel.com/observatory/non-conformist-fashion-by-corteiz/ |access-date=20 April 2024 |website=The Next Cartel}}</ref> <!-- Deleted image removed: thumb|People waving their jackets during "Da Great Bolo Exchange" --> In 2022, the brand launched the “Da Great Bolo Exchange”. Through Twitter (now X), Clint invited customers to swap their jackets for the new Corteiz Bolo jacket, with the collected garments later donated to the homeless.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Stella |title='DA GREAT BOLO EXCHANGE' PROVES CORTEIZ DOES RULETHEWORLD |url=https://culted.com/catch-me-if-you-can-the-meteoric-rise-of-corteiz/ |access-date=20 April 2024 |website=culted.com |publisher=Culted}}</ref>
That same year, Corteiz held the “99p Market Stall” pop-up, selling new cargo trousers for 99 pence.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |last1=Cox |first1=Ollie |title=The Cult of Corteiz |url=https://culted.com/the-cult-of-corteiz-streetwear/ |access-date=22 April 2024 |website=Culted}}</ref> Customers were required to pay exactly 99p, with no change given. Over two thousand people attended the event.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last1=Takanashi |first1=Lei |title=Everything About Corteiz: The UK Streetwear Brand Co-Signed by Nike, Drake, Central Cee, and More |url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/lei-takanashi/corteiz-streetwear-everything-to-know |access-date=22 April 2024 |website=COMPLEX}}</ref>
In 2024, Corteiz hosted the “Da Great Denim Exchange” in New York, inviting customers to trade in jeans from any brand for a pair of Corteiz denim. Only 250 pieces were available.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woods |first1=Thomas |title=Corteiz Get Busy & Go Viral with New "GREAT DENIM EXCHANGE" |url=https://pausemag.co.uk/2024/05/corteiz-get-busy-go-viral-with-new-great-denim-exchange/ |website=PAUSE |publisher=PAUSE |access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Coley |first1=Jordan |title=Inside Corteiz's Frenzied Brooklyn Denim Exchange |url=https://www.gq.com/story/corteiz-brooklyn-denim-exchange-scene-report |website=GQ |publisher=GQ |access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref>
== Nike lawsuit == In 2021, Nike filed a lawsuit against Corteiz and Clint, alleging that the brand’s name was too similar to the Nike Cortez shoe. Clint was ordered to pay £1,850.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cheung |first1=Adam |title=The Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 is the unlikeliest collab in recent memory |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/fashion/article/corteiz-nike-air-max-95-collab-2023 |website=GQ |access-date=9 March 2023}}</ref> In 2023, however, the two brands collaborated on a shoe release.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Belle |first1=Leonie |title=NIKE X CORTEIZ – BIGGEST BRAND COLLAB OF THE YEAR? [@CRTZRTW] |url=https://guap.co/nike-x-corteiz-biggest-brand-collab-of-the-year/ |website=GUAP MAGAZINE |publisher=GUAP MAGAZINE |access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref>
== Collaborations == In 2023, Corteiz collaborated with Nike to release the Nike Air Max 95 in three colourways: Gutta Green, Pink Beam, and Aegean Storm. Each was released exclusively in London, New York, and Paris.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cheung |first1=Adam |title=The big Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 restock is actually happening |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/corteiz-nike-air-max-95-restock-2023 |website=GQ |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref> A fourth colour, Honey Black, was released in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 April 2025 |year=2025 |title=The Highly Anticipated Corteiz x Air Max 95 "Honey Blacks" Drops 30th April |url=https://thesolesupplier.co.uk/news/corteiz-drops-the-highly-anticipated-honey-blacks-air-max-95/ |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=thesolesupplier.co.uk}}</ref>
In 2023, Corteiz partnered with streetwear brand Supreme to launch a collection of T-shirts and hoodies.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cheung |first1=Adam |title=The Corteiz x Supreme collab has officially landed |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/corteiz-supreme-2023-collection |website=GQ |access-date=21 April 2024}}</ref>
== Awards and nominations == Corteiz was nominated for the 2023 Fashion Awards in the “New Establishment – Menswear” category.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ahluwalia |first1=Navi |title=HERE ARE THE BIGGEST WINNERS OF THE 2023 FASHION AWARDS |url=https://hypebae.com/2023/9/fashion-awards-2023-nominees-winners-list-corteiz-martine-rose-kiko-kostadinov-paloma-elsesser |website=hypebae |publisher=hypebae |access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref>
== Reception == Corteiz has been praised for its innovative marketing, denouncement of fashion giants and rebellion against traditional fashion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corteiz: the hype |url=https://www.nssmag.com/en/fashion/28928/corteiz-shorts-cargo-shop |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=nss magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The brand's secretive approach to drops, such as password protected websites, has since become popular amongst other streetwear brands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chitrakorn |first=Kati |date=2022-01-31 |title=Why Everyone’s Talking About Corteiz |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/corteiz-clint-and-the-future-of-streetwear |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Clothing brands of the United Kingdom Category:British clothing Category:Clothing retailers of England Category:Clothing companies based in London Category:Clothing companies established in 2017 Category:2017 establishments in England