Factory Tours
UZI NYC
Mari Gustafson never planned to start a clothing line. Her path into fashion came less from strategy and more from a creative impulse—rooted in curiosity, material experimentation, and a desire to create interesting clothing for herself and women like her.
Mari met her business partner, Dave, in high school in Colorado in 1993. A shared trip to London led them into the city’s vibrant music and fashion scenes, sparking a lasting interest in design. Dave later attended a trade school—primarily serving single mothers—where he learned pattern-making, drafting, grading, and sewing.
“I think a lot of times companies are just catering towards people in their 20s and 30s, and when a woman ages out of that, there’s just nothing fun for her to wear anymore,” Mari says. Firmly Gen X, she refused to accept that, and together with Dave, launched UZI NYC. Known for its simple, architectural garments made from natural fibers, the brand often features oversized silhouettes and graphic screen-printed patterns. Mari proudly creates clothing that’s both visually interesting and comfortable.
The brand’s name, UZI, has always been more about energy than literal meaning. “Sometimes it stands for Underground Zeitgeist of Iconoclasm,” Mari says. Other times, she switches up the acronym. She wanted a name that stood out, so she picked one.
UZI NYC’s process is hands-on and intuitive. Dave serves as the lead creative, while Mari refines the work into wearable designs. “I help direct him so that we actually get something that I can present to buyers,” she explains, noting that she often weighs in on practical concerns. “Because people who are creative sometimes are way too creative.” They work with one full-time seamstress at their space near the Brooklyn Navy Yard, while Mari and Dave handle the rest of the business themselves.
Fabric selection is intentional—soft cottons, gauzy linens, and breathable blends that wear beautifully over time. Her garments are a clear rejection of fast fashion’s disposable quality. When shopping, Mari often admires a piece at first glance, only to find that the fabric or construction is lacking. “If I really want to torture myself, I go into Target and I touch everything,” she says with a laugh.
In an industry driven by trends, UZI NYC intentionally opts out. Mari doesn’t release seasonal collections or chase what’s currently ‘in.’ “I really wish that the industry paid more attention to what people honestly wear,” she says, “but make it in a way that’s interesting. Not everybody wants to wander around in athleisure.”
Now two decades in, UZI NYC remains small by design. Mari is intentional about keeping all aspects—sourcing, design, pattern-making, cut and sew—local to New York City. “We try to keep the ecosystem of New York City creativity and fashion going,” she says. While outsourcing would be cheaper, it doesn’t align with her ethics. “Manufacturing doesn’t have to be ugly, and it doesn’t have to be brutal, and it doesn’t have to take advantage of people.”
For Mari, the most joyful part of the process is seeing the finished garments come to life. “You get most excited when you’re actually shooting the stuff on the model. Because you get to see your clothes, which were only a hanger before, on this beautiful angel. So you just have the best day,” she says. “Then the rest of the day, you go, ‘Oh, shit. Now we gotta think of something else to make.’”