Real Life

Doreen finds that her style changes with time, place, and of course, age. “In general, I don’t like fuss and I suppose that shows through in the clothes I choose to wear,” she says. “Right now, I find myself quite influenced by Korean and Japanese fashions.” She’s also consciously trying not to buy clothes from fast fashion, high street brands for ethical reasons. Workwear, for Doreen, isn’t very formal or strict, although she says she’d love to see more ladies embracing trousers in their office ensembles. Doreen is amicable and cheery, although she says that if she had to pick one thing she didn’t like about her job, it’s that she has to smile all the time, she jokes. “Other than that, I love that there always new things to discover and learn at work,” she says. “If I could do anything I wanted to do, it would be to read all day in the English countryside, surrounded by dogs and not have to worry about money. And maybe, host the Queen. But don’t we all!” When first starting out in any job, everyone should try to “know what they’re working for and not be a burden”, Doreen advises. But ultimately, she believes in the very simple saying: ‘Everything’s going to be alright.’ “Life never turns out as horrible as we expect,” Doreen says. “Another quote I love is from The Velveteen Rabbit. “Once you’re Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.””