Beginner's Guide to Corteiz

Corteiz (also known as Crtz and Corteiz Runs the World) was founded in London in 2017 by Clint Ogbenna, also known as Clint419 or simply Clint. Before establishing Corteiz, Clint founded the streetwear label Cade On the Map while studying at university, catching the attention of influential domestic figures. 

Corteiz emerged as a more mature distillation of streetwear, symbolized by the Alcatraz logo, which stands for societal repression and “escaping from the societal restraints that we’ve grown up with to pursue what you really want to do.” According to Clint, the first drop only sold 16 hoodies.

With community at its center, Corteiz experienced a swift rise, garnering global intrigue due to its orchestrated exclusivity. On Instagram, the brand presided over a private account that could only be found through word of mouth, while limited drops were announced with little to no prior notice.

In the physical world, Corteiz made headlines with its guerrilla ideas, such as inviting followers to a meetup where they could swap their old puffer jackets for one of its coveted Bolo jackets. Encapsulating Corteiz’s socially-minded ethos, Clint then donated £16,000 worth of jackets to Laurence’s Larder, a local food bank in Britain. The label later attracted the attention of cultural innovators, including the late Virgil Abloh, who wore Corteiz’s “Rule the World” socks to the 2021 Met Gala.

Following projects with Soho Yacht Club and Motherlan, Corteiz entered its most significant collaboration to date when it teamed up with Nike in early 2023. The partnership took shape with the ‘Sequoia’ and ‘Aegean Storm’ Air Max 95 colorways, which would go on to become some of the year’s defining sneakers. When a limited-edition ‘Pink Beam’ colorway launched at a local bodega as a New York exclusive, hysteria ensued, prompting police intervention to control the crowd. In 2024, a ‘Tour Yellow’ AM95 released, with Corteiz also teasing an Air Huarache collaboration for late 2024.

As the label continues to evolve both at home and abroad, we chart some recent highlights below.

Corteiz Jackets

From the signature Bolo puffer to shells, leather jackets and track tops, Corteiz jackets reinterpret nostalgic sportswear, technical gorpcore and utilitarian elements.

Corteiz Hoodies

Hoodies are a cornerstone of the Corteiz product universe, designed for layering or solo wear. Iconic motifs like the Alcatraz logo add visual pop.

Corteiz Cargos

Blending utility and style, Corteiz cargos present a London-centric take on military aesthetics. Durable fabrics are designed to withstand harsh British winters, while tactical pockets are ideal for storage. The Alcatraz logo is a uniting visual hallmark throughout.

Corteiz Hats

Corteiz has played a key role in bringing the balaclava back into the modern style lexicon, highlighting its connection to the streets where it is often worn by young Black men in the UK as a response to police discrimination. Alongside this cold-weather staple, the label's headwear spans baseball caps, bucket hats and more.

Brands Similar to Corteiz

Corteiz is a streetwear label in the traditional sense, following in the footsteps of iconic names such as Supreme and Stüssy by combining community with an anti-establishment ethos. The brand’s cut-and-sew pieces bear similarities to fellow London label Palace, while founder Clint’s commitment to amplifying Black culture aligns with the narratives of Tremaine Emory’s Denim Tears.

Corteiz FAQ