Prostitution was technically illegal in Germany until 2001 but that didn't stop the sexy times. The legalisation has, however, meant that brothels can be loud and proud and (in some cases) boast ten-storey poster advertising their tricks.
It has also meant that photographer Patric Fouad was allowed inside (that's what she said!) a bunch of brothels to see what they're really like. Apparently they are either similar to a hospital, a backpacker hostel, a jail, your nanna's house, or an incredibly creepy anime teenager's bedroom, or Franco Cozzo's showroom.
It seems the ice-breaker conversation would go something like this, "Hey there, sit down and relax. I'll pour you a glass of bubbles from this sterlised, stainless steel bucket. Please admire my artworks; crop tops, underwear, it's all
very avant-garde. I have a selection of boots also - go ahead, you can lick them. You want to play cowboys and indians? No? Want to just chat and crochet some tea-cosies together? Don't mind me, I might just put on my jammies and cuddle up with my Troll doll on these pink polyester sheets. Grand sale! Grand sale! Grand sale! Megalo! Megalo! Megalo!"
These images are from of a book of photos by Patric Fouad, you can buy it and see more at
stern.de.