If you go down to Trafalgar Square today, you’re in for a big surprise. The grand plaza is always thronged with tourists, posing for photos in front of Nelson’s Column, throwing coins into the fountain or pouring down the steps from the National Gallery. But on Tuesday 6 February, a new gang will temporarily take up residence between the square’s iconic bronze lions: 59 life-size cut-outs of women and men who fought for women’s right to vote.

The public exhibition is designed to raise awareness of the campaign for women’s suffrage, on the 100th anniversary of (some) women winning the vote in Britain and Ireland. Among the 59 people are familiar names, such as the famous suffragette Emily Wilding Davison and the Pankhursts, as well as lesser-known figures such as Lolita Roy, the president of the London Indian Union, and working-class mill worker Annie Kenney.

Later this year, the cut-outs will go on tour to various new venues, including the Museum of London. Each of the 59 faces will also be etched into the granite plinth of the much-anticipated statue of Millicent Garrett Fawcett, to be unveiled in Parliament Square in April.

At a roundtable meeting at London’s City Hall, Mayor of London (and self-professed “proud feminist”) Sadiq Khan tells Stylist that he is committed to shouting about women’s achievements. “The idea is to encourage men and women, old and young, to go along to Trafalgar Square [on 6 February] to have a selfie with these amazing people,” he explains.

Sadiq Khan tells Stylist how he’s celebrating 100 years of votes for women