About Us

Nemo and Shamu came to the Green Zone Baghdad Iraq with the Coalition Provisional Authority in early 2004 and applied themselves to the task at hand, helping in the reconstruction of Iraq. As time went on, they looked for souvenirs to send home and, for that matter, to wear while in Iraq. They became increasingly frustrated with what was then available in country, i.e. shirts saying “Whose your Baghdaddy” printed in garish colors on polyester-blends. Thus, being style gods of a sort—and figuring that their imagination was at least as good as what was being offered to the Post Exchanges--they decided to design and make a few shirts for themselves and a few friends.

Word of these shirts soon spread through the Baghdad area and beyond. Emails came from across Iraq asking when the next shipment would arrive. Now, Shamu and Nemo didn’t come to Iraq to make tee-shirts. But, they did realize that their shirts had a certain appeal to the discriminating shopper who was, like them, tired of the same old same old. With many requests from fans of GZBI shirts, the idea of GZBI Sports Apparel was conceived.

Photo: (L to R) Iraqi Guard, Nemo and Shamu at the Tomb of the Unknown Iraqi Soldier on, yes, that's right, Thursday, 17 March 2005==> St Pat's Day in the Zone !!

I'll tell you, after a long week, on that day we both said, "Sure Happy It's Thursday !!!!"