- Deus Ex Machina SS26 draws heavily from the 90s and early 2000s subcultures.
- Five capsules explore nostalgia through function and wearability.
- Motorcycle culture remains the unifying thread across the collection.
They say fashion is cyclical, every 30 years or so. It’s why we’re seeing the return of 90s favourites such as checked shirts, camo, baggy jeans, and animal prints (for blokes not so much), across the board.
The Gen Zers in the room will call it vintage. Deus Ex Machina just calls it nostalgia, searching through the collective archive for a multifaceted approach to the SS26 collection, one that’s inspired by the surf, skate, and motorsport subculture that continues to define this iconic Australian brand.
This season splits into five: Last Resort, The Riders Friend, Deus Records, Team Deus, and In Benzin Veritas. Each with their own distinct aesthetic within the Deus portfolio, but maintaining that central thread of motorcycle culture instilled in the brand by Dare Jennings, its founder, all those years ago.
Last Resort is pure 90s and 00s: underground music, skate and surf culture. Across the board, Deus has introduced a mix of unconventional art placements, yardages, and archival prints in loose, mid-weight fits that feel incredibly on brand for Australia’s contemporary style scene.
Standout pieces are the Forecourt Stripe Shirt and Vacay Check Shirt, leaning heavily on that short sleeve shirt x white undershirt combo that’s been in every rooftop bar this side of Surry Hills.
The Riders Friend taps into another familiar fashion cycle, revisiting military-inspired silhouettes that first surfaced in the ’60s and ’70s before being recycled through the ’90s and early 2000s.
This is certainly one for the Deus purists, who see the Australian brand as offering heavy-set garments and outerwear suitable for cruising on a motorcycle. Pieces like the Fugazi Souvenir Jacket are anchored in robust utilitarian shapes, softened subtly through embroidered artwork and patches.
Deus Records feels more like a collage of pieces designed to work together. Elevated embroidery, layered graphics, and thoughtful artwork placement reinforce the Deus’ enduring idea of clothing as something that’s to be lived in, not just worn once.
With Team Deus, the cycle turns toward retro sport with oversized Jerseys awash with references to both motocross and football silhouettes. These pieces flick between pared-back black-and-white technical riding gear and high-energy camo print closed-mesh styles.
This careful contrast delivers understated utility on one side, expressive nostalgia on the other. Performance remains key, with the Enduro MX Pant and Moto Off Road Pant delivering modern updates on classic motocross design through stretch ripstop Cordura nylon, reinforced panels and breathable mesh construction.
Finally, In Benzin Veritas offers a more refined interpretation of the past, focusing on on-road riding gear that prioritises protection without compromising style. High-grade technical fabrics and seamlessly integrated protective elements maintain clean lines and a strong visual identity. Another way Deus integrates fashion and function throughout all its best-selling collections.
Taken as a whole, SS26 reinforces the idea that while trends may come and go, the foundations of great design remain constant.
It’s how Deus Ex Machina has managed to dominate a cornerstone of the fashion game, not only in Australia, but across every market where there’s a brick-and-mortar store.
As founder Dare Jennings once put it, wherever he travels, people assume Deus is local. In Ubud, customers believe it’s a Balinese brand; in Tokyo, they think it’s Japanese. It’s a testament to the cultural cachet enjoyed by this Sydney-based brand that means each cycle, each roll of the dice, each rev of the bike, feels intentional, wearable, and unmistakably Deus.
