Explainers

THE slightly mysterious Clint – who has never revealed his full name – is the founder of Corteiz Rules The World (CRTW).The label is a cult London streetwear label founded in 2017, a brand whose main message is rebellion against convention.CRTW exploded in popularity during the pandemic, and its logo depicting the former prison island Alcatraz has become a recognisable signature on the streets of London and beyond. Its owner is now expanding further into mainstream recognition as a manager in the forthcoming Baller League, which takes place in London later this month.Early life, influence and a brief history of Clint 419The label first launched a limited collection of screen-printed T-shirts and crewnecks and has since expanded its product offering to include tracksuits, shoes and bags. A native of north west London, Clint quickly gained a reputation for his approach which infuses a gritty London identity into social media content and limited-run products. Items are sold via a password-protected ecommerce site or gamified physical drops that have attracted thousands of young shoppers in London, New York and Paris.Clint 419 has more than 700,000 followers on InstagramThe scarcity strategy has created an air of exclusivity around the brand.In January 2023, Clint 419 launched a collaboration with Nike, releasing three limited edition Air Max 95 colourways, and sold it at eye-catching physical drops in London, New York and Paris. Clint 419’s ascendancy to the fashion mainstream was again recognised in September 2023 when the brand was nominated by the British Fashion Council for its New Establishment Menswear award.Most read in FootballAs of March 2025, Clint has nearly 700,000 followers on his Instagram account.Guerilla marketing strategiesClint 419 is known for its use of guerilla marketing strategies. In 2021, the brand launched their T-shirt in Soho, where customers could exchange their underground tickets for a limited edition T-shirt.In 2022, the brand launched Da Great Bolo Exchange, with Clint, via Twitter, now X, inviting Clint 419 customers to swap their jackets from high-end brands such as The North Face and Canada Goose, for the new Corteiz Bolo jacket. The jackets collected were donated to the homeless.What is his involvement in the Baller League?He will manage a team – FC Rules the World – in the league.The Baller League began in Germany, created by entrepreneur Felix Starck and aided by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. It is a six-a-side indoor football competition, with the first UK season taking place at the Copper Box Arena in London on March 24.Michael Ndiweni is among the players in Clint 419’s Baller League teamCredit: GettyThe influencer-led league – headlined by KSI for the UK version – sees former Premier League players, futsal players and celebrities face one another in 12 teams to win the Baller League.Clint’s squad includes Michael Ndiweni, who swapped the Premier League for the Scottish third tier. More