Born out of surf culture and the love of motorcycles
Deus Ex Machina was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 2006 by Dare Jennings, the former co-creator of Mambo, and custom motorcycle builder Carby Tuckwell.
From the outset, it was conceived as more than a motorcycle workshop; it became a space where motorcycles, surf culture, and a do-it-yourself creative spirit could coexist. Their first custom builds were stripped-down café racers and retro-inspired track bikes, machines that valued personal style over rigid historical accuracy. Yet the brand’s ambitions stretched beyond the garage, with the surf scene becoming just as important to its identity.
Surfing was woven into the Deus DNA early on, with collaborations between the brand and respected board shapers, sponsorship of distinctive riders, and a presence at contests and film premieres.
Deus Temples
Deus' global “Temples of Enthusiasm” each reflect their surroundings while staying true to the brand’s blend of motorcycles, surf, and creative culture.
In Milan, the Deus Portal is a polished mix of café, gallery, and retail space that channels the city’s design heritage while hosting art shows and moto events.
The Venice, California, location sits just blocks from Venice Beach, acting as a laid-back community hub where surfboards line the walls alongside custom bikes, and the coffee bar is as much of a draw as the apparel.
Tokyo’s Harajuku outpost blends Deus’s industrial aesthetic with Japan’s precision and street style sensibility, regularly staging exhibitions and collaborations with local makers.
Back where it began in Camperdown, Sydney, the flagship is a sprawling space that houses a workshop, surfboard shaping bay, retail floor, and busy café, embodying the brand’s original multi-disciplinary vision.
In Canggu, Bali, the temple is an open-air compound surrounded by rice paddies, known for its live music nights, surf contests, and as a gathering spot for both travellers and the island’s creative crowd. Together, these locations show how Deus adapts its identity to local culture while maintaining a consistent atmosphere of craft, community, and enthusiasm.
Deus Ex Machina apparel
Apparel has always been central to their offering, reflecting the same durability and understated design sensibility found in their bikes and boards. Their hats are typically made from hard-wearing cotton twill or corduroy, with embroidered branding and a focus on fit that holds shape over time. Their t-shirts are produced using heavyweight or mid-weight cotton jersey, often garment-washed for a softer hand feel, with printing and embroidery done to a standard that withstands years of wear. Hoodies are constructed from premium fleece, generally a cotton-rich blend with a brushed interior for warmth, cut in relaxed but structured fits, and finished with robust stitching to prevent sagging or seam breakdown. Many pieces are manufactured in trusted facilities across Asia and Europe, with quality control processes in place to ensure consistency regardless of production location.
By combining craftsmanship, function, and timeless style across motorcycles, surfboards, and apparel, Deus Ex Machina has built a brand that thrives on character and individuality rather than mass-market conformity, one that continues to serve as a meeting point for people who value well-made things and the cultures that inspire them.
