Lorena
“No one should describe themselves with negative adjectives.”
Lorena navigates life with a curious mind and a strong sense of independence. Her first international adventure completely altered her perspective and opened her eyes. It led her to follow her dreams across Europe from Madrid to London. Now she’s been working in her dream city for over a decade in banking and finance, motivated by a desire to understand the how technological developments can reduce societal inequalities. Lorena is determined to approach every situation with optimism, but also organisation and order. She has a passion for fashion, and also for looking on the bright side. Meet Lorena. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
L: My name is Lorena Busto Hurtado (she/her/hers) and I am a finance professional working at a Spanish bank in London. I have been working in banking and financial markets for nearly a decade, starting in Madrid at a very junior position and making my dream come true of moving to London four years ago.
My passion for languages started at an early age and they have been the key which has opened many doors to me - they opened my mind, allowed me to pursue studies in other countries and let me get to know amazing people who now I call friends.
I am lucky to say that economics and finance are part of my profession but also some of my genuine interests. Specifically, I am interested in the latest technological developments in the industry and in the role it plays in society as a way to erase social inequalities within and out of the sector.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
L: Curious, independent and joyful forever young woman. No one should describe themselves with negative adjectives. However, there is always room for improvement.
In order to fully satisfy my curiosity I had to learn to ask questions, being a fully independent researcher doesn’t help much. But independence comes with the ability to keep going forward, if necessary, on your own.
Although grumpy old spirited people are cute in movies, I truly believe that having a positive mentality is essential -even at the worst moments. If children cry and laugh at the same time, why shouldn’t adults?
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
L: Order. Maybe a bit too much for some organised-chaos lovers, but having an organised diary, wardrobe and mind helps me to sleep at night. How tight I usually sleep! Trouble comes when I have to deal with uncertainty, but the adaptability of the human being has no limits. Most of the times when a door closes, another one opens.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
L: Probably the experience that has defined me the most and made me who I am was my first international trip. Although I was curious about the world, as a teenager I was happy in my relatively small hometown. I guess I was not dreaming big enough at that point.
Everything changed when at sixteen I landed for the first time in London. My mind was blown and eyes were opened! So many different people and things in front of me that, instead of making me feel uncomfortable, made me want to explore more. It can sound a bit cheesy but London was love at first sight and the relationship that has defined me.
“Mrs Brown says that in London everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in. I think she must be right - because although I don't look like anyone else, I really do feel at home. I'll never be like other people, but that's alright, because I'm a bear.” - Paddington
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
L: Dream big, but be patient. That’s a piece of advice that I still need to give to my “older self” everyday. If it is meant to be it will be, keep working towards your dreams and if they don’t come true, at least you tried. Anything you hope for is worth trying.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
L: I am going to allow myself to be superficial this time. I love fashion, I understand it in a personal way though. I think women’s fashion is more fun, there are no prejudices about colours and after all, you can wear a suit or a dress.
Although there are still many obstacles for women in this world we live in, I see fashion as a way of free ourselves. I wish for the same for men, because gender stereotypes set limits to self-expression whether you are in one box or the other.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say if they were here now?
L: I don’t know how, since my teenage years I was inspired by Coco Chanel. Later the more I knew about her the more I understood why. We both went to religious schools - her story is a bit sadder than mine as I had my family - and wore uniforms. The colours of children and nuns’ uniforms were a huge influence in her designs - proving that you can be creative even in a standardised collective.
Another thing I discovered we had in common is the love for England and its Prince of Wales check suits. There is an urban legend that the Chanel symbol is in the lampposts of Westminster in London, because the Duke of Westmister asked many times Coco Chanel to marry him. However, there is no evidence of that.
‘There have been many Duchesses of Westminster, but only one Coco Chanel.’ - Coco Chanel
There are many more memorable quotes of her, but if I had the chance to talk to her I would ask her what was her greatest strength, the one that made her succeed in a male dominated industry. Also I am thankful that she freed the women’s figure from corsets and created casual - but elegant - attires.