Hailing from Australia, globally recognised surf and motorcycle brand Deus Ex Machina (god from the machine), is known not only for its beautifully built custom motorbikes, or surfboards and skateboards hand-carved and shaped by experienced riders, but also for its apparel collections and key clothing collaborations that embody the classic biker aesthetic.
So much more than a multi-disciplinary brand, it’s a culture. With an openness and enthusiasm, there’s a sincerity behind the Deus kinsfolk, and its approach to honour an inclusiveness and authenticity.
The latest instalment in our series of store visits looks to a paradise within a paradise. We catch up with a truly great friend of the Jacket Required family, UK Brand Manager Rob Fairweather, and Bali resident surf photographer and surfer Dustin Humphrey (now there’s a job title), at Deus Ex Machina, in a unique space where white sand and green fields meets caffeine and gasoline, burnt rubber and trimming fins, fibreglass and blues, tacos and tattoos.
Deus makes motorcycles. Deus makes surfboards. Deus makes coffee. Deus makes music. Deus makes things happen. And, for everything else, there is The Temple of Enthusiasm.
“The Temple came out of an enthusiasm for motorcycles, surfing, art, music, adventure and Bali itself. Dustin teamed up with Dare Jennings to build a place where all these things could come together and co-exist. While these days it’s quite common to have a restaurant, bar and art gallery at your shop, The Temple of Enthusiasm is different to other concept stores, as we build our motorcycles and surfboards within the space, along with designing and sewing clothes – and much more.
“When we built The Temple, we definitely took the location and surrounding area into consideration. We wanted the place to look good in the rice paddies – and not just be a big cement building that stuck out. The structure is built using about 95 per cent reclaimed wood, with most of The Temple built out of 100-year-old Javanese houses.
“The store experience changes day to day, week to week, month to month. Besides having new collections coming in – we have different surfboards every week and new motorcycles arriving into the shop.
“New artists are featured in our art gallery every four to six weeks, with bands playing live music in our back yard every Friday night.
“To capture this experience – maintaining and constantly changing – our full-time media team document everything that happens and all the trips and adventures that originate here – sharing online and to social media.
“This year, Deus Ex Machina celebrates its tenth anniversary – so autumn/winter 2016 marks the occasion with exciting projects, launches and collaborations due to drop throughout the year. Of course, some of these are still under wraps – but we can say there will be a new Deus book documenting the last ten years.
“Deus Records will release our first album by TV BABY, and also screenings of our latest feature move – South to Sian.
“Product-wise, our artist series continues with a capsule collection for LAND BOYS. Along with collaborations with Trickers shoes and Saint unbreakable denim, to mention a couple… with more to come as the year unfolds. We are also stepping up to four wheels and custom-building our first Porsche 911. Not to mention the hundreds of other events we have lined up as part of our usual calendar.
“Yes, we make motorcycles and surfboards. But it’s everything in between that makes us.”
