n album's title would seem a likely source of ideas for cover art; in the case of Ooh La La, the reverse proved true. Designer Jim Ladwig, a collector of "nostalgic paper things," had run across a 1930s toothpaste ad featuring a photo of radio star Fred Allen that could be maneuvered so the eyes and mouth moved when a tab was pulled. Intrigued, Ladwig constructed an album-sized model of the ad. "I showed the package to Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood," say Ladwig, "and Ronnie said, 'Ooh La La.'"

Thus it was decided that the cover would replace Allen's mug with a picture of an elegant boulevardier -- adopted from an archive photo. In keeping with the French theme, Ladwig designed a back cover that shows the Faces ogling a leggy cancan girl who performs with a kick when a built-in panel is opened. The design so amused Warners marketing executives that they began mailing miniature replicas of the cover as promotional items. Alas, their spirit failed to inspire the band; the Faces would not record another studio LP.

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