London | The year was 1995 and the Saatchi brothers, once lords of global advertising, were pitching to resurrect their careers after being ousted from the firm that bore their name. British Airways executives arrived at a swish Mayfair building. But all was not what it seemed.

Maurice and Charles had borrowed the office from a friend, shipping in art and staff for the day to give it some Saatchi sparkle. In the pitch room itself was an even more far-fetched sight: three man-shaped cardboard cutouts.