The Mad, Mad Love of Man Ray & Lee Miller

She was the model and artist turned war correspondent. He was one of Surrealism’s most iconic figures. Together, Lee Miller and Man Ray lived a fiery romance, set to the backdrop of 1930s Paris. So naturally, we’re keen to relive their story… Miller was discovered by Condé Montrose Naste (yes, that Condé Naste) at 19 in…

A Beginner’s Guide to the Bath Houses of Japan

You’re probably familiar with the favourite Roman past time of nude public bathing, but did you know that it’s an even bigger phenomenon in Japan? Getting hot and steamy is deeply rooted in the Japanese culture, and public baths are still as popular as ever. The archipelago, which consists of over 6, 800 islands, is…

All Aboard the Incredible Flying Yacht, circa 1950

They don’t call it the ‘Golden Age of Travel’ for nothing. If you thought you were having early symptoms of the pre-summer travel bug, this will surely finish you off. Found deep within LIFE magazine’s archives, introducing “the flying yacht” … Hold the phone! A flying yacht in 1950?! Or an amphibious airplane, depending on…

A Brief Guide to Going Naked in Paris

Here at MessyNessyChic, our motto is Don’t be a Tourist in Paris, but what about being a naked tourist in Paris?! The topic came up (don’t ask how) and we were curious– as summer approaches, temperatures rise, and the layers come off– does Paris have a naturist scene? As it turns out, the answer is yes! The first organised…

Paradise Lost: The Hippie Refugee Camp

Let me tell you about a place called Taylor Camp, a tropical ocean-front utopia without rules, politics or bills to pay. Anti-establishment all the way, clothing was optional and decisions were made according to the “vibes”. It was the ultimate hippie fantasy. Taylor Camp began in the Spring of 1969, with thirteen hippies seeking refuge…

We Went to a Parisian Sex Club for Swingers So You Don’t Have To

It’s a phone-less world down there in the underground lair of Les Chandelles, the infamous “club échangiste” – and something to be appreciated in itself before we get into the stuff you really want to know about. Inhibitions (and Instagram) are to be left above ground, and your time spent down there is intended exclusively…

The Bittersweet Story of the World’s First Motel

It’s as American as Apple Pie in all its neon-lit glory, evoking our collective cultural memory of 1950s road-tripping, film noir fugitive hideouts and the golden age of kitsch. The motel is as much a part of the American open road as the gas station and the roadside diner, an indispensable amenity to the roving motorist; the…

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Where to Shop for Souvenirs in Paris like a Collector

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PARIS: 10 Places to have un Café

By ‘un café’. I obviously mean a mocha latte or a glass of rosé, along with a little tarte, maybe some madeleines and of course, plenty of undisturbed lounging time à la Parisien. (You won’t actually find me talking much about coffee in this blog). 1. Un café with Fashion at Carmen Ragosta Rue de la…

Abandoned Paris: Surviving through Art

This weekend I spent Friday night with le boyfriend doing what any normal girl likes to do: scoping out derelict buildings. We were having a drink on the Seine in the 13th arrondissement when he remembered there was an enormous old building in the neighborhood infamously occupied by squatters. Off we went. And there it…