At first glance she’s a ringer for Calvin Klein-era Brooke Shields – the hair, those brows, a look that speaks to decades past. But our new digital cover star is decidedly modern: scouted before a One Direction concert, then tapped as the face of Topshop’s SS 17 campaign. On an autumn morning in London, the kind that eases between slow rain and dappled sunlight, we got to know our Face of October: Lily Jean Harvey.

“I’m a Cancerian through and through – sensitive, creative, intuitive, moody and emotional. I love a good cry.”

“I did my growing up in Newark-on-Trent, a market town not far from Nottingham, also not far from long hazy walks in summer with my neighbour and oldest friend Ella, and magnificent tones in autumn.”

Harvey was born in London, but calls the town of Newark-on-Trent home. She was scouted back in the big city – “I was swinging on the birdcage swing outside Kings Cross ... I can only describe my feelings that day as bemused” – and quickly caught the eye of industry heavyweights. Her first shoot was in front of the lens of Alasdair McLellan, an experience she describes as “surreal. Really ... Many people never get the opportunity to work with photographers as good as Alasdair. It was an honour to start my career like this.”